If you have Blockbuster's DVD-by-mail service, you may have noticed an increase in your bill.
Last month, the company -- which has been losing money on online movie orders -- raised prices for new customers and some existing ones.
Highest price hikes? Up to 40 percent. The hikes were from $2 to $10and leaves Blockbuster offering plans ranging from $3.99 to $34.99 monthly. Some of the more expensive plans also allow customers to pick up movies in stores.
Blockbuster declined to comment when asked by the Associated Press as to how many of its 3.1 million online subscribers are facing rate increases.
Blockbuster lost half a million online customers in the July-September quarter. Chief Executive James W. Keyes said last month that many of those subscribers were costing his company more than they were worth.
As Blockbuster shed customers, rival Netflix cut costs and added more than a quarter million new subscribers, giving it more than seven million total.
Netflix pioneered the online ordering and mail delivery of rental movies in 1999. Blockbuster followed in 2004, and cut into Netflix's lead during late 2006 and early 2007.
Blockbuster offers several plans for subscribers who order movies online and receive them in the mail. The most popular plan lets customers keep three DVDs at any time and exchange up to five DVDs per month at a local Blockbuster store for a free rental.
That plan rose from $17.99 to $19.99 per month for new customers and some existing ones on Dec. 27, the AP reported.
The top-of-the-line plan, in which customers can keep three DVDs out and get unlimited free in-store exchanges, went from $24.99 to $34.99 per month, a 40 percent increase.
A basic plan that lets subscribers keep one DVD but doesn't entitle them to free in-store exchanges will drop from $4.99 to $3.99 per month.
Netflix plans range from $4.99 to $23.99 per month.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Best games of '07
On the final day of 2007, let's look back at the best games of the year.
1. "Bioshock": It's got a dazzling story, set underwater and involving a social experiment that has gone terribly wrong.
It's a first-person shooter, but it calls on the player to make moral choices. It's a lot different than most of today's bang-bang games, which typically have little consequence -- beyond how many pieces you can blow the bad guy into.
2. "Halo 3": The most hyped game of the year marked the end of a trilogy of great games.
Its opening-week grosses rivaled that of blockbuster films and made a fictional video game character (Master Chief) into a household name for the first time since Lara Croft of the "Tomb Raider" series. Some critics didn't think the third edition did enough to satisfy. I thought it was brilliant.
3. "Rock Band": This next evolution of "Guitar Hero" includes lead and bass guitars, drums, a microphone and a varied catalog of songs to perform. Get some buddies, add another guitar and a few singers, and check out the best multiplayer game of the year.
I'd like to see future "Rock Band" titles include other genres of music, like country and R&B, even rap.
4. "The Orange Box": You get five PC games in one, each painting a pretty bleak and descriptive picture of Earth after it has been devastated by aliens. It was too much quality gaming in one box to leave off this list. And call it the PC title of the year.
5. "Super Mario Galaxy": Yes, it's simple to play. Yes, the storyline is a retread (Mario saves the world). But bouncing around the galaxy with everybody's favorite plumber is still fun. And Nintendo managed to make him feel fresh again by changing his environment.
6. "Madden 08": A huge improvement over recent years.
Better news is that EA Sports promises to concentrate on atmosphere next year, to make the experience feel more realistic. Hopefully, that includes bringing back John Madden and Al Michaels to handle play-by-play and some pre- and post-game shows.
7. "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare": A great shooter in a year of good ones. You play as a U.S. Marine and a British S.A.S, fighting in real locations around the world. Everything looks authentic.
8. "Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass": The best handheld game of the year showed up on the Nintendo DS. How in the world did Nintendo put this much "game" in a handheld? Lead character Link battles pirates at sea and land, searching for hidden treasure.
9. "Mass Effect": You're the only human agent in a galaxy-wide police force that doesn't trust humans. You're also fighting a threat that could destroy life as you know it. Full of "Star Trek"-like moral choices and exploration. Beautifully drawn, too.
10. "College Hoops 2K8": This is college basketball done about as well as I've seen. This was the best-looking sports game of the year, with realistic sound effects and lifelike players and coaches.
System of the year
Microsoft Xbox 360: Although it was threatened by Nintendo Wii and a faster-charging PS3 -- which is finally getting the software it needs -- Bill Gates' favorite box persevered.A lot of this had to do with the release of several great exclusive games (like "Halo 3"). And it helps having the best online experience for a console, by far.
Duds of the year
"Beowulf"; "Tenchu Z"; "Transformers: The Game"; "Star Trek: Conquest"; "Vampire Rain."
1. "Bioshock": It's got a dazzling story, set underwater and involving a social experiment that has gone terribly wrong.
It's a first-person shooter, but it calls on the player to make moral choices. It's a lot different than most of today's bang-bang games, which typically have little consequence -- beyond how many pieces you can blow the bad guy into.
2. "Halo 3": The most hyped game of the year marked the end of a trilogy of great games.
Its opening-week grosses rivaled that of blockbuster films and made a fictional video game character (Master Chief) into a household name for the first time since Lara Croft of the "Tomb Raider" series. Some critics didn't think the third edition did enough to satisfy. I thought it was brilliant.
3. "Rock Band": This next evolution of "Guitar Hero" includes lead and bass guitars, drums, a microphone and a varied catalog of songs to perform. Get some buddies, add another guitar and a few singers, and check out the best multiplayer game of the year.
I'd like to see future "Rock Band" titles include other genres of music, like country and R&B, even rap.
4. "The Orange Box": You get five PC games in one, each painting a pretty bleak and descriptive picture of Earth after it has been devastated by aliens. It was too much quality gaming in one box to leave off this list. And call it the PC title of the year.
5. "Super Mario Galaxy": Yes, it's simple to play. Yes, the storyline is a retread (Mario saves the world). But bouncing around the galaxy with everybody's favorite plumber is still fun. And Nintendo managed to make him feel fresh again by changing his environment.
6. "Madden 08": A huge improvement over recent years.
Better news is that EA Sports promises to concentrate on atmosphere next year, to make the experience feel more realistic. Hopefully, that includes bringing back John Madden and Al Michaels to handle play-by-play and some pre- and post-game shows.
7. "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare": A great shooter in a year of good ones. You play as a U.S. Marine and a British S.A.S, fighting in real locations around the world. Everything looks authentic.
8. "Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass": The best handheld game of the year showed up on the Nintendo DS. How in the world did Nintendo put this much "game" in a handheld? Lead character Link battles pirates at sea and land, searching for hidden treasure.
9. "Mass Effect": You're the only human agent in a galaxy-wide police force that doesn't trust humans. You're also fighting a threat that could destroy life as you know it. Full of "Star Trek"-like moral choices and exploration. Beautifully drawn, too.
10. "College Hoops 2K8": This is college basketball done about as well as I've seen. This was the best-looking sports game of the year, with realistic sound effects and lifelike players and coaches.
System of the year
Microsoft Xbox 360: Although it was threatened by Nintendo Wii and a faster-charging PS3 -- which is finally getting the software it needs -- Bill Gates' favorite box persevered.A lot of this had to do with the release of several great exclusive games (like "Halo 3"). And it helps having the best online experience for a console, by far.
Duds of the year
"Beowulf"; "Tenchu Z"; "Transformers: The Game"; "Star Trek: Conquest"; "Vampire Rain."
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
PBS-HD coming to DirecTV
DirecTV will soon add public television station signals across the country in high definition, the company said today.
DirecTV, the nation's HD leader with 87 national high-def channels, has a carriage agreement with the Association of Public Television Stations and the Public Broadcasting Service. DirecTV viewers will have access to other Public Television content as well.
DirecTV currently offers local HD programming in 68 markets, representing more than 72 percent of U.S. TV households. Charlotte is one of those markets, though viewers here cannot get the local CW affiliate, WJZY, Channel 46, and Channel 55 in HD without an off-air antenna.
Los Angeles recently added two new HD stations and DirecTV began carrying them this week, marking the fourth area nationally where it carried all six major commercial network affiliates.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with APTS and PBS to offer our customers award-winning HD programming from local Public Television stations across the country," said DirecTV president Chase Carey. "This agreement is the result of a cooperative effort that will utilize innovative technology to deliver the highest quality local content to DIRECTV viewers."
APTS President & CEO John Lawson said: "This is a forward-looking, innovative agreement for the digital age. It means the great HD programming from PBS and local Public Television stations will be available to DIRECTV customers in every market where DIRECTV carries any local HD. We will also work together to make available a vast library of on demand content from local Public Television stations across the country. This is a great day for public service media in America."
DirecTV, the nation's HD leader with 87 national high-def channels, has a carriage agreement with the Association of Public Television Stations and the Public Broadcasting Service. DirecTV viewers will have access to other Public Television content as well.
DirecTV currently offers local HD programming in 68 markets, representing more than 72 percent of U.S. TV households. Charlotte is one of those markets, though viewers here cannot get the local CW affiliate, WJZY, Channel 46, and Channel 55 in HD without an off-air antenna.
Los Angeles recently added two new HD stations and DirecTV began carrying them this week, marking the fourth area nationally where it carried all six major commercial network affiliates.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with APTS and PBS to offer our customers award-winning HD programming from local Public Television stations across the country," said DirecTV president Chase Carey. "This agreement is the result of a cooperative effort that will utilize innovative technology to deliver the highest quality local content to DIRECTV viewers."
APTS President & CEO John Lawson said: "This is a forward-looking, innovative agreement for the digital age. It means the great HD programming from PBS and local Public Television stations will be available to DIRECTV customers in every market where DIRECTV carries any local HD. We will also work together to make available a vast library of on demand content from local Public Television stations across the country. This is a great day for public service media in America."
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Your official HDTV buying guide.....with video
If you're about to go out and buy the family that 50-inch flat screen you've been eyeing, I say congratulations. You'll love your new HDTV.
But wait. There is lots of confusing lingo out there. Do you want Plasma, LCD or DLP? What about all those numbers you hear about: 720P or 1080i or 1080P? And how much to spend? You'll see some $1,000 50-inch sets and other 50-inch sets that cost upwards of $6,000.
In HDTVs, as with most anything else, you get what you pay for. That $1,000 Costco model is not going to look as good as the Pioneer Elite you get from a high end store (with the high end price). But unless you have that super high end model in your home or are a real videophile, you're probably not going to know the difference. So don't get caught up in side-to-side comparisons at Best Buy between the one you want and the one you should buy. The one you want does look better. At home, you'll only have one and it will blow you away. Now, if you're upgrading to a new HDTV and coming out of an older one, your equation certainly changes.
My guess is everyone knows where they fall there.
For most newbies, though, upgrading to HD will be a quantum leap over that's 27-inch 250-pound behemoth sitting on that 10-year old stand (with the glass casing cracked or missing).
Here's a few easy basics. Choose the progressive TVs (1080P or 720P) over interlaced ones (1080i). They look better. If you're buying 40 inches or larger, buy plasma, they look better. If you have an extra bright room, consider LCD.
DLP sets are cheaper but are bulkier. You cannot hang them on the wall and they don't look as good as plasma or LCD.
Last, people will tell you there's no difference between 1080P and 720P, at least at longer distances. Yes and no. The 1080P set costs more and can render full resolution HD from videogame and HD-DVD and Blu-Ray sources. And while your eye cannot see a huge resolution difference from 8 feet between competing 720P and 1080P models, the newer 1080Ps can render more colors, better blacks and simply look better.
And now to the video. Get your notebooks ready.
But wait. There is lots of confusing lingo out there. Do you want Plasma, LCD or DLP? What about all those numbers you hear about: 720P or 1080i or 1080P? And how much to spend? You'll see some $1,000 50-inch sets and other 50-inch sets that cost upwards of $6,000.
In HDTVs, as with most anything else, you get what you pay for. That $1,000 Costco model is not going to look as good as the Pioneer Elite you get from a high end store (with the high end price). But unless you have that super high end model in your home or are a real videophile, you're probably not going to know the difference. So don't get caught up in side-to-side comparisons at Best Buy between the one you want and the one you should buy. The one you want does look better. At home, you'll only have one and it will blow you away. Now, if you're upgrading to a new HDTV and coming out of an older one, your equation certainly changes.
My guess is everyone knows where they fall there.
For most newbies, though, upgrading to HD will be a quantum leap over that's 27-inch 250-pound behemoth sitting on that 10-year old stand (with the glass casing cracked or missing).
Here's a few easy basics. Choose the progressive TVs (1080P or 720P) over interlaced ones (1080i). They look better. If you're buying 40 inches or larger, buy plasma, they look better. If you have an extra bright room, consider LCD.
DLP sets are cheaper but are bulkier. You cannot hang them on the wall and they don't look as good as plasma or LCD.
Last, people will tell you there's no difference between 1080P and 720P, at least at longer distances. Yes and no. The 1080P set costs more and can render full resolution HD from videogame and HD-DVD and Blu-Ray sources. And while your eye cannot see a huge resolution difference from 8 feet between competing 720P and 1080P models, the newer 1080Ps can render more colors, better blacks and simply look better.
And now to the video. Get your notebooks ready.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Here's the HD trailer for Batman, the Dark Knight
Here is the high definition trailer for the new Batman movie, due summer 2008. Looks pretty good.
What do you think?
(Thanks to reader Joe C. of Weddington for the link).
What do you think?
(Thanks to reader Joe C. of Weddington for the link).
NFL Sunday Ticket special promotion
OK football fans, you can get a pretty cool deal right now.
If you sign up for NFL Sunday Ticket for the last few weeks of this season, you'll also get the entire 2008 season for $269.
Sunday Ticket allows customers to see out-of-market NFL games weekly. Most games are also available in HDTV, for those with HDTV channels and packages through DirecTV's satellite service. To get the HD games, customers need to subscribe to a special $99 package that is an addition to the regular Sunday Ticket sub.
If you sign up for NFL Sunday Ticket for the last few weeks of this season, you'll also get the entire 2008 season for $269.
Sunday Ticket allows customers to see out-of-market NFL games weekly. Most games are also available in HDTV, for those with HDTV channels and packages through DirecTV's satellite service. To get the HD games, customers need to subscribe to a special $99 package that is an addition to the regular Sunday Ticket sub.
New `America's Army' has look, feel of real warfare
There are so many tactical shooters on the market right now that I wasn't very excited when another showed up for me to review this week.
But "America's Army: True Soldiers" (Rated T for Teen) -- which was co-developed with the U.S. Army -- saved me from being burned out.
This Xbox 360 game is brought to you by publisher Ubisoft and developer Red Storm Entertainment. Red Storm is best known for its work on Tom Clancy's "Ghost Recon" and "Rainbow Six" franchises, and I think it has another hit on its hands.
Game cover man Tommy Rieman, a sergeant who won a Purple Heart for his service in Iraq, worked with Red Storm to create a high level of authenticity in "True Soldiers' " real-world scenarios.
Essentially, this game offers a pretty good taste of what joining the Army might be like. Graphics are spot-on, and the action is fast. In the single-player mode, you can go from basic training to fighting the war on terror -- and it takes real skill to move up to rifleman or sniper.
But what's coolest about this game is that when you and your soldier are good and ready, you can take that specific character onto Xbox Live. Also, online players can reward you with points for honorable actions that help you move up the Army ranks. (As with most war games, "True Soldiers" is more fun with multiple players.)
One other thing worth noting: Parents can tailor settings to make the game appropriate for a range of ages.
Grade: B-plus.
Review: Cardo S-800 Bluetooth headset
The latest trend in Bluetooth wireless headsets is models that are small enough to fit snugly without needing to actually wrap around your ear.The S-800 will do that, but I found it more comfortable with the ear loop attached. The headset dampens outside noise very well, so the experience is perfectly fine when talking to friends via cell-phone -- or the PS3's gaming network (the S-800 pairs easily with the console).
The unit comes with a standard AC adapter and a USB cable to charge from a computer, which is a nice touch. It weighs less than half an ounce. It'll swap easily between two mobile phones and the PS3. You can also auto-answer calls, switch to a conference-call mode, or dial the last number called by using buttons on the headset (so you don't have to touch your phone).
My favorite feature is a headset location buzzer that you can activate from your paired phone when you lose the thing -- and I briefly lost the thing. Retail is $90, but it can be found for less than $50 online.
Grade: A.
Review: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3
Rated T for Teen, this sequel to last year's hit fighting game is all about more fighting and fast thumb-twitching.
There are more than 150 heroes and villains to fight with. There are 20 levels. You can also re-create some of the battles from the TV show.
I tried the Wii version, and this year, it has online capability (though I had trouble getting a game -- a problem I never have via Xbox's or Sony's online systems).
This title brings back the fun of those side-scrolling fighters we loved so much on Sega Genesis and Dreamcast. Nothing exceptional, but still thoroughly enjoyable.
Grade: B.
But "America's Army: True Soldiers" (Rated T for Teen) -- which was co-developed with the U.S. Army -- saved me from being burned out.
This Xbox 360 game is brought to you by publisher Ubisoft and developer Red Storm Entertainment. Red Storm is best known for its work on Tom Clancy's "Ghost Recon" and "Rainbow Six" franchises, and I think it has another hit on its hands.
Game cover man Tommy Rieman, a sergeant who won a Purple Heart for his service in Iraq, worked with Red Storm to create a high level of authenticity in "True Soldiers' " real-world scenarios.
Essentially, this game offers a pretty good taste of what joining the Army might be like. Graphics are spot-on, and the action is fast. In the single-player mode, you can go from basic training to fighting the war on terror -- and it takes real skill to move up to rifleman or sniper.
But what's coolest about this game is that when you and your soldier are good and ready, you can take that specific character onto Xbox Live. Also, online players can reward you with points for honorable actions that help you move up the Army ranks. (As with most war games, "True Soldiers" is more fun with multiple players.)
One other thing worth noting: Parents can tailor settings to make the game appropriate for a range of ages.
Grade: B-plus.
Review: Cardo S-800 Bluetooth headset
The latest trend in Bluetooth wireless headsets is models that are small enough to fit snugly without needing to actually wrap around your ear.The S-800 will do that, but I found it more comfortable with the ear loop attached. The headset dampens outside noise very well, so the experience is perfectly fine when talking to friends via cell-phone -- or the PS3's gaming network (the S-800 pairs easily with the console).
The unit comes with a standard AC adapter and a USB cable to charge from a computer, which is a nice touch. It weighs less than half an ounce. It'll swap easily between two mobile phones and the PS3. You can also auto-answer calls, switch to a conference-call mode, or dial the last number called by using buttons on the headset (so you don't have to touch your phone).
My favorite feature is a headset location buzzer that you can activate from your paired phone when you lose the thing -- and I briefly lost the thing. Retail is $90, but it can be found for less than $50 online.
Grade: A.
Review: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3
Rated T for Teen, this sequel to last year's hit fighting game is all about more fighting and fast thumb-twitching.
There are more than 150 heroes and villains to fight with. There are 20 levels. You can also re-create some of the battles from the TV show.
I tried the Wii version, and this year, it has online capability (though I had trouble getting a game -- a problem I never have via Xbox's or Sony's online systems).
This title brings back the fun of those side-scrolling fighters we loved so much on Sega Genesis and Dreamcast. Nothing exceptional, but still thoroughly enjoyable.
Grade: B.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
College Hoops 2K8 rocks, baby
It's college basketball season. Time for late-night West Coast games, buzzer-beaters, Billy Packer and Dick Vitale.
It's also time for college basketball video game simulations. And after an impressive season of NBA games, I was curious to see what we'd get with the college versions.
The first one I've tried this year is 2K Sports' "College Hoops 2K8" (rated E for Everyone), which is the follow-up to the top seller in this category last year. I tried the Xbox 360 version, but it's also available for PS2 and PS3.
I tried it out in my friend's basement, where he's got a 58-inch 1080p Panasonic plasma HDTV (the best TV reasonable money can buy) and a state-of-the-art sound system with seven speakers.
The graphics just keep getting better and the frame rate is excellent. This game, like many of the recent sports titles, can really fool you into thinking you're watching a real game. Part of that was the TV. Part of it was the attention to detail utilized by 2K Sports, which has completely redesigned its game arenas to make them look deeper, bigger and more realistic.
It also sounded great in Dolby Digital, from the pep bands and announcers right down to the sneaker squeaks.
The thing that most impressed me was the gameplay. The players move like the real thing, and don't slide around. If you ask the controller to turn left, you turn left -- sharply, without any oversteer. And home-team advantage really plays a role: You get it going, and the crowd can get loud.
The hard rap soundtrack may bother a few gamers, but that's about the only thing I could find wrong at first blush. It gives you nearly everything you can ask for.
Grade: A.
Review: `The Golden Compass'
Sega has released this for all game console platforms and PCs. The game (rated E for Everyone) is based on the new movie of the same name.
You play as Lyra, a young girl out to rescue her uncle and her kidnapped best friend. Lyra takes off on her mission with her pet, Pan, and a huge polar bear, Iorek -- plus a golden compass, a truth-telling device that gives you crucial information and unlocks bonus content.
There are 11 universes to explore, and this game is awful deep. It plays, to me, as a slightly more mature Mario game that should enthrall younger and older gamers alike.
Grade: B.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Janet Jackson uses 'net "gadgets" to drop hot new single
Eschewing a direct to radio release of her new song, "Feedback," pop icon Janet Jackson has released her track directly to the internet. It's expected to hit radio this weekend.
After disappointing sales of her previous two albums, "Damita Jo" and "20 Y.O." Jackson is making sure to come out with a stronger first single, in terms of radio appeal. Her previous two albums met critical success but did not receive a lot of radio support or Virgin record label support, as she still suffered from backlash from her infamous Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction. Her videos got very little play on MTV.
Janet is now with Island Records and the new single, Feedback, is a classic club banger with a memorable chorus. It may be just the thing to get her old audience back. It's loud. It's catchy. It's very, um, Janet.
Her last two albums were very very good and perhaps after some folks get a taste of this new single, which will be followed by a world tour in the spring, it may whet their appetite for Jackson's new album, due in February. While they wait, they can check out the past two CDs which most people didn't get a chance to hear.
Click here to hear "Feedback."
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Beyonce', DirecTV and MSG-HD
A lot of folks are emailing me asking if DirecTV's new HD upgrade commercial with Beyonce' is any good, or is cheesy, or unnecessary.
I think it hits the mark. Guys are your primary target for this, and not too many guys are going to turn away from this spot or DVR past it. It gets the message across well.
DirecTV is fast approaching 90 HD channels now, and the quality is still remaining high. This week, the satcaster added MSG-HD and Fox Sports NY-HD, both full-time (NY Knick fans rejoice!).
Right now, cable is a distant, distant third and DISH is getting further and further behind in second place while it waits to launch new satellites early next year that will allow it to upgrade its offerings.
I think it hits the mark. Guys are your primary target for this, and not too many guys are going to turn away from this spot or DVR past it. It gets the message across well.
DirecTV is fast approaching 90 HD channels now, and the quality is still remaining high. This week, the satcaster added MSG-HD and Fox Sports NY-HD, both full-time (NY Knick fans rejoice!).
Right now, cable is a distant, distant third and DISH is getting further and further behind in second place while it waits to launch new satellites early next year that will allow it to upgrade its offerings.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Shirtless and red eyed, actor Gary Coleman auctions his GameCube
I'm not sure what to make of this, but a reader sent me an ebay auction link where actor Gary Coleman, famous for his line "What'cha talkin' 'bout Willis" in the hit "Diff'rent Strokes" sitcom, is selling his Nintendo GameCube, topless and red-eyed.
Coleman looks like he needs to go join that group of celebrities trying to kick the drug habit on reality TV.
The auction's initial bid is $165 for a signed GameCube with several games.
Viva Pinata for Windows is smart move
Microsoft Game Studios has done a smart thing this holiday season.
It's ported over the popular "Viva Piñata" from the Xbox 360 to Windows XP and Windows Vista-enabled PCs.
The game, which I enjoyed on the 360 and PC, challenges players to start as a character from the popular Saturday morning cartoon. You then create a world of your own that you use to attract up to 60 piñata species.
Once you have a few "inhabitants," you can personalize your community. Piñatas can get their own name and a tag put on their home turf within your world. You can also customize with costumes and accessories.
I know it may sound simple and boring, but you find yourself constantly tweaking your world and your inhabitants -- and the more inviting your environment, the more elaborate the animals you attract will be. Then, when you do attract newcomers, you have to work to keep them happy.
It's like being a landlord, of sorts, and of course there are some rather evil characters in the game that do their best to make your life difficult.
This is simple, fun and rather addictive.
Grade: B.
Review: `Ghost Squad'
This was a big hit in the arcades in 2004. Now it's available from Sega for the Nintendo Wii. The game supports the new Wii Zapper accessory, and using it here you can easily target on-screen enemies. The game is designed for up to four players and has three mission areas, 25 weapons and 14 uniforms.You play as a member of the Ghost Squad, a Special Forces unit secretly established by the United Nations to combat terrorism. In this game, you have some real-life type missions: releasing hostages, stopping bombs and rescuing the U.S. president.
The game's missions are divided into levels. In each level, you can take different routes, each with differing degrees of difficulty. And the further you advance in a level, the tougher your competition gets. Enemies attack from everywhere. Graphics are good, and the action's fast.
I'm not big on recommending gun games to kids, but for older teens and adults, this one's pretty intense.
Grade: B.
Review: `Masters of Illusion'
I didn't think much of this game until my 7-year-old, Trey, kept playing it on his Nintendo DS. I figured it had to be pretty good.
I tried it and saw that early on the game teaches you to do some simple card tricks and has step-by-step tutorials for 20 different tricks.
You can take the game with you. It acts as an assistant for some of your stunts, and it comes with a magic deck of cards.
Kids learn these tricks quickly, and even I was having fun trying to fool the wife.
Trey thinks it's great. I can't argue.
Grade: A.
Review: `Medal of Honor Airborne'
Electronic Arts claims this multi-platform title is the only first-person shooter that lets players airdrop into combat and land anywhere in an open battlefield.
To me, it just felt like "been there, done that."
The game is well done and beautifully drawn. You're part of a team in World War II tackling some historically true missions. Enemies will advance or retreat depending on how well you do; so will your allies.
The combination of impressive visuals and outstanding AI makes it fun to watch the computer-controlled guys take cover, jump into a building through a window, or leap over a wall.
Kill shots produce real results, and guys will now actually run from grenades instead of just waiting for it to blow up in their faces. (So hold it a little bit, or "cook" it and then toss. Much better results.)
Another hot feature: As you improve your skill with a particular weapon, you gain access to upgrades within that weapon, making it more powerful.
I feel like I've played too many games like this lately. But, then, I can't really say anything was lacking.
Grade: B.
VIDEO GAMES Langston Wertz Jr.
Langston Wertz Jr: 704-358-5133; lwertz@charlotteobserver.com
It's ported over the popular "Viva Piñata" from the Xbox 360 to Windows XP and Windows Vista-enabled PCs.
The game, which I enjoyed on the 360 and PC, challenges players to start as a character from the popular Saturday morning cartoon. You then create a world of your own that you use to attract up to 60 piñata species.
Once you have a few "inhabitants," you can personalize your community. Piñatas can get their own name and a tag put on their home turf within your world. You can also customize with costumes and accessories.
I know it may sound simple and boring, but you find yourself constantly tweaking your world and your inhabitants -- and the more inviting your environment, the more elaborate the animals you attract will be. Then, when you do attract newcomers, you have to work to keep them happy.
It's like being a landlord, of sorts, and of course there are some rather evil characters in the game that do their best to make your life difficult.
This is simple, fun and rather addictive.
Grade: B.
Review: `Ghost Squad'
This was a big hit in the arcades in 2004. Now it's available from Sega for the Nintendo Wii. The game supports the new Wii Zapper accessory, and using it here you can easily target on-screen enemies. The game is designed for up to four players and has three mission areas, 25 weapons and 14 uniforms.You play as a member of the Ghost Squad, a Special Forces unit secretly established by the United Nations to combat terrorism. In this game, you have some real-life type missions: releasing hostages, stopping bombs and rescuing the U.S. president.
The game's missions are divided into levels. In each level, you can take different routes, each with differing degrees of difficulty. And the further you advance in a level, the tougher your competition gets. Enemies attack from everywhere. Graphics are good, and the action's fast.
I'm not big on recommending gun games to kids, but for older teens and adults, this one's pretty intense.
Grade: B.
Review: `Masters of Illusion'
I didn't think much of this game until my 7-year-old, Trey, kept playing it on his Nintendo DS. I figured it had to be pretty good.
I tried it and saw that early on the game teaches you to do some simple card tricks and has step-by-step tutorials for 20 different tricks.
You can take the game with you. It acts as an assistant for some of your stunts, and it comes with a magic deck of cards.
Kids learn these tricks quickly, and even I was having fun trying to fool the wife.
Trey thinks it's great. I can't argue.
Grade: A.
Review: `Medal of Honor Airborne'
Electronic Arts claims this multi-platform title is the only first-person shooter that lets players airdrop into combat and land anywhere in an open battlefield.
To me, it just felt like "been there, done that."
The game is well done and beautifully drawn. You're part of a team in World War II tackling some historically true missions. Enemies will advance or retreat depending on how well you do; so will your allies.
The combination of impressive visuals and outstanding AI makes it fun to watch the computer-controlled guys take cover, jump into a building through a window, or leap over a wall.
Kill shots produce real results, and guys will now actually run from grenades instead of just waiting for it to blow up in their faces. (So hold it a little bit, or "cook" it and then toss. Much better results.)
Another hot feature: As you improve your skill with a particular weapon, you gain access to upgrades within that weapon, making it more powerful.
I feel like I've played too many games like this lately. But, then, I can't really say anything was lacking.
Grade: B.
VIDEO GAMES Langston Wertz Jr.
Langston Wertz Jr: 704-358-5133; lwertz@charlotteobserver.com
Monday, November 19, 2007
A thinking Man's "Halo"
It's been a great fall for video games.
"Halo 3" turned out to be just as good as the hype. The latest round of sports games, especially the NBA titles, was outstanding.
This week, we get another major title that delivers in "Mass Effect" from Microsoft Game Studios. It's another Xbox 360 console exclusive.
The game tells the story of a special agent named Commander Shepard, who basically is the sheriff for the galaxy. As Shepard, you'll battle a force that seeks to destroy not only your world, but all worlds.
Developed by BioWare, the studio that made the excellent "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic," "Mass Effect" is amazingly deep. Even expert gamers will play this for weeks.
Turns out that Shepard is the only human agent in a police-like group called Spectre, but being the only human in a galaxy where humans are not always trusted, his life can get, well, complicated.
To me, this game felt like a "Star Trek" film, where Shepard and his team are faced with many moral decisions as they explore the universe, find the threat and figure out ways to stop it. You can destroy entire alien races, or keep them alive, with choices you make.
As you seek your ultimate goal, you can also explore uncharted worlds and meet all manner of uncharted life. In battle mode, you can choose to focus on the action (like in a "Doom"-style game) or to use the squad-based combat schemes to use more strategy. Ultimately, this is a thinking man's "Halo."
When fighting, look for areas to take cover; this will help keep you alive. I'd also suggest using grenades often and saving the game often, too. Unlike many titles in this genre that force you to reach certain stages to save, you can save "Mass Effect" almost anywhere.
The game is simply gorgeous, and the character voiceovers and movements are very realistic. You can get lost in this title, which is rated M for blood, language, partial nudity, sexual themes and violence. It's for adults and it's a big winner. One of the best for '07.
Grade: A-plus.
Review: Call of Duty 4
There's nothing like a really good first-person shooting game, and "Call" definitely fits the bill.I tried the PS3 version and the graphics were very, very good. You play as a U.S. Marine and a British SS solider -- each character advancing the same storyline -- and you get technology and firepower that would make James Bond jealous. Stuff like a AC-130 Gunship, which flies above the battle and fires 105mm rounds into your enemy. Talk about clearing a field fast.
The game puts you into some intense fights going on around the world to try to stop a rogue terrorist agency that's gotten some Russian nuclear devices. And this is the most intense fighting game I've ever tried. Enemies are plentiful and smart. There are some plot twists that come so fast and so suddenly, they really will shock you. But the fun here is the fighting. And there's lots of it. Rated M for Mature.
Grade: A.
• I also tinkered around the Nintendo DS model. The game lost some realism due to the graphics, sound quality and screen size, but it's essentially the same story. I just preferred such a big game on a regular TV screen.
Review: Orcs & Elves
Electronic Arts' title for the Nintendo DS brings a cell phone hit to the 3D world. It looks better obviously, but it was kind of boring and too old-school.
Characters don't really move fluidly and battles aren't really battles; you merely get to find out after the fact what your chosen strike has done to the enemy. Rent this one before you buy. Rated T for Teen.
Grade: D.
Review: Super Mario Galaxy
I didn't get to spend as much time with this game as I'd like because of other work duties (yes, covering video games really qualifies as work for me).
But at first blush, it appears to be as fun as advertised.
In this latest Mario adventure, you have to try to stop Bowser, who has stolen something called Star Power from a comet (stay with me here) and has used it to rip Peach's castle apart and take its inhabitants into space. Your job? Get your friends back.
From there, it's basic Mario -- collect objects, topple bad guys, get the girl -- save for one twist: Mario is given the ability to perform spinning attacks thanks to the motion-sensitive Wiimote.
I was grinning while I was going at it. Best of all, I could let my kids play, too. Rated E for Everyone.
Grade: B-plus.
"Halo 3" turned out to be just as good as the hype. The latest round of sports games, especially the NBA titles, was outstanding.
This week, we get another major title that delivers in "Mass Effect" from Microsoft Game Studios. It's another Xbox 360 console exclusive.
The game tells the story of a special agent named Commander Shepard, who basically is the sheriff for the galaxy. As Shepard, you'll battle a force that seeks to destroy not only your world, but all worlds.
Developed by BioWare, the studio that made the excellent "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic," "Mass Effect" is amazingly deep. Even expert gamers will play this for weeks.
Turns out that Shepard is the only human agent in a police-like group called Spectre, but being the only human in a galaxy where humans are not always trusted, his life can get, well, complicated.
To me, this game felt like a "Star Trek" film, where Shepard and his team are faced with many moral decisions as they explore the universe, find the threat and figure out ways to stop it. You can destroy entire alien races, or keep them alive, with choices you make.
As you seek your ultimate goal, you can also explore uncharted worlds and meet all manner of uncharted life. In battle mode, you can choose to focus on the action (like in a "Doom"-style game) or to use the squad-based combat schemes to use more strategy. Ultimately, this is a thinking man's "Halo."
When fighting, look for areas to take cover; this will help keep you alive. I'd also suggest using grenades often and saving the game often, too. Unlike many titles in this genre that force you to reach certain stages to save, you can save "Mass Effect" almost anywhere.
The game is simply gorgeous, and the character voiceovers and movements are very realistic. You can get lost in this title, which is rated M for blood, language, partial nudity, sexual themes and violence. It's for adults and it's a big winner. One of the best for '07.
Grade: A-plus.
Review: Call of Duty 4
There's nothing like a really good first-person shooting game, and "Call" definitely fits the bill.I tried the PS3 version and the graphics were very, very good. You play as a U.S. Marine and a British SS solider -- each character advancing the same storyline -- and you get technology and firepower that would make James Bond jealous. Stuff like a AC-130 Gunship, which flies above the battle and fires 105mm rounds into your enemy. Talk about clearing a field fast.
The game puts you into some intense fights going on around the world to try to stop a rogue terrorist agency that's gotten some Russian nuclear devices. And this is the most intense fighting game I've ever tried. Enemies are plentiful and smart. There are some plot twists that come so fast and so suddenly, they really will shock you. But the fun here is the fighting. And there's lots of it. Rated M for Mature.
Grade: A.
• I also tinkered around the Nintendo DS model. The game lost some realism due to the graphics, sound quality and screen size, but it's essentially the same story. I just preferred such a big game on a regular TV screen.
Review: Orcs & Elves
Electronic Arts' title for the Nintendo DS brings a cell phone hit to the 3D world. It looks better obviously, but it was kind of boring and too old-school.
Characters don't really move fluidly and battles aren't really battles; you merely get to find out after the fact what your chosen strike has done to the enemy. Rent this one before you buy. Rated T for Teen.
Grade: D.
Review: Super Mario Galaxy
I didn't get to spend as much time with this game as I'd like because of other work duties (yes, covering video games really qualifies as work for me).
But at first blush, it appears to be as fun as advertised.
In this latest Mario adventure, you have to try to stop Bowser, who has stolen something called Star Power from a comet (stay with me here) and has used it to rip Peach's castle apart and take its inhabitants into space. Your job? Get your friends back.
From there, it's basic Mario -- collect objects, topple bad guys, get the girl -- save for one twist: Mario is given the ability to perform spinning attacks thanks to the motion-sensitive Wiimote.
I was grinning while I was going at it. Best of all, I could let my kids play, too. Rated E for Everyone.
Grade: B-plus.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Guitar Hero rocks
The biggest box in video games belongs to Activision's "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock."
The new Nintendo Wii title (which is also available for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360) comes with a life-size wireless guitar in a three-foot-long cardboard box. The guitar has swappable face plates, and you can remove the neck to make storage easier.
The game itself has a fun action battle mode where you can play against a friend. But I enjoyed career mode most. You try to play your way out of the garage onto the big stage, mainly by playing against "bosses" in "American Idol"-esque competitions. When you do well, you earn money to buy better equipment, outfits and instruments.
But to do that, you have to master the controls, which can take awhile. Even the best of you are not going to replace Eddie Van Halen or anything, but you can get to where you can strum pretty well. And if you hit a few great notes in a row, your "star power" meter lights up and you can use it to increase your score -- and beat down your buddies.
The guitar controller has a hole for the Wii remote to snap into and connect via the Nunchuck port. This allows the guitar to be wireless and use the Wii controller's rumble feature and the speaker. So when you're playing, the guitar will give you real feedback.
Graphics are ramped up over older "Guitar Hero" games. Rock guitar legends Slash, Tom Morello and Bret Michaels spent hours in motion-capture suits so that the in-game characters look and move realistically. And if you can beat a "boss" like Slash in a battle, you can unlock him for future use (like in the next song, having him play lead on "Welcome to the Jungle").
A few hints: When you play, stand up and look toward the top of the screen as much as possible, because the "notes" for you to play drop from the top of the screen. And if you get lost, stop playing and find the beat again. Bad notes can make the game stop faster.
On the Xbox and PS3 versions, you can download new songs, but Wii fans get an incredible song list from groups like Aerosmith ("Same Old Song and Dance"), Guns N Roses ("Welcome to the Jungle") and tracks specially recorded for the game. The Sex Pistols re-entered the studio for the first time in 30 years, Activision claims, to record "Anarchy in the UK."
This is going to be a big holiday hit.
Grade: B-plus.
Review: Lost-Cauze Gaming Headphones
Parents of gamers, you know what it's like when the kids are going at it and you have to keep telling them to turn it down, right?Good news. AblePlanet's new Lost-Cauze Gaming Headphones will give you some peace and allow your kids to play without having the sound up really loud -- where it could hurt their eardrums.
The headphones, which are large and comfortable, cancel background noise almost too well. You don't hear much of anything except the music you're listening to or the game you're playing. I couldn't hear the phone or the doorbell even with the volume on 2 or 3. The company says its proprietary "linx audio" technology enhances sound quality and improves speech clarity while filtering out undesirable sound, and increases perceived loudness without increasing volume.
And I'd agree it does all those things well, plus it comes with an extension cord, so you don't have to sit 2 feet away from your TV.
Grade: B-plus.
Review: Nyko Wii Charge Station
Game controllers are constantly sucking batteries dry. But Nyko's new charge station for the Wii can keep them fresh.
And this is clever: Using specially designed covers that replace the original battery covers, the dock allows you to charge the batteries while they are still in the remotes.
The station comes with two rechargeable NiMH batteries, the two covers and a 6-foot power cable. You can charge one controller or both controllers at the same time. Now I'd like to see a similar product for the Xbox 360.
Grade: B.
The new Nintendo Wii title (which is also available for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360) comes with a life-size wireless guitar in a three-foot-long cardboard box. The guitar has swappable face plates, and you can remove the neck to make storage easier.
The game itself has a fun action battle mode where you can play against a friend. But I enjoyed career mode most. You try to play your way out of the garage onto the big stage, mainly by playing against "bosses" in "American Idol"-esque competitions. When you do well, you earn money to buy better equipment, outfits and instruments.
But to do that, you have to master the controls, which can take awhile. Even the best of you are not going to replace Eddie Van Halen or anything, but you can get to where you can strum pretty well. And if you hit a few great notes in a row, your "star power" meter lights up and you can use it to increase your score -- and beat down your buddies.
The guitar controller has a hole for the Wii remote to snap into and connect via the Nunchuck port. This allows the guitar to be wireless and use the Wii controller's rumble feature and the speaker. So when you're playing, the guitar will give you real feedback.
Graphics are ramped up over older "Guitar Hero" games. Rock guitar legends Slash, Tom Morello and Bret Michaels spent hours in motion-capture suits so that the in-game characters look and move realistically. And if you can beat a "boss" like Slash in a battle, you can unlock him for future use (like in the next song, having him play lead on "Welcome to the Jungle").
A few hints: When you play, stand up and look toward the top of the screen as much as possible, because the "notes" for you to play drop from the top of the screen. And if you get lost, stop playing and find the beat again. Bad notes can make the game stop faster.
On the Xbox and PS3 versions, you can download new songs, but Wii fans get an incredible song list from groups like Aerosmith ("Same Old Song and Dance"), Guns N Roses ("Welcome to the Jungle") and tracks specially recorded for the game. The Sex Pistols re-entered the studio for the first time in 30 years, Activision claims, to record "Anarchy in the UK."
This is going to be a big holiday hit.
Grade: B-plus.
Review: Lost-Cauze Gaming Headphones
Parents of gamers, you know what it's like when the kids are going at it and you have to keep telling them to turn it down, right?Good news. AblePlanet's new Lost-Cauze Gaming Headphones will give you some peace and allow your kids to play without having the sound up really loud -- where it could hurt their eardrums.
The headphones, which are large and comfortable, cancel background noise almost too well. You don't hear much of anything except the music you're listening to or the game you're playing. I couldn't hear the phone or the doorbell even with the volume on 2 or 3. The company says its proprietary "linx audio" technology enhances sound quality and improves speech clarity while filtering out undesirable sound, and increases perceived loudness without increasing volume.
And I'd agree it does all those things well, plus it comes with an extension cord, so you don't have to sit 2 feet away from your TV.
Grade: B-plus.
Review: Nyko Wii Charge Station
Game controllers are constantly sucking batteries dry. But Nyko's new charge station for the Wii can keep them fresh.
And this is clever: Using specially designed covers that replace the original battery covers, the dock allows you to charge the batteries while they are still in the remotes.
The station comes with two rechargeable NiMH batteries, the two covers and a 6-foot power cable. You can charge one controller or both controllers at the same time. Now I'd like to see a similar product for the Xbox 360.
Grade: B.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Mom takes PlayStation away, son tries to kill her.
There's a trial going on in the Washington, DC-area right now where a 17-year-old has admitted hiring someone to murder his Mom -- partially because she wouldn't let him play videogames.
This is a sad, sad story.
Cory Ryder admitted "involvement" last week to solicitation to have his mother and stepfather killed. That was one of four counts against him. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 27.
Shannan and Joey Troiano worried about their son's bad behavior and bad grades at school.
Cory walked out of middle school classes, smashed a fire extinguisher case and once broke into a county fairgrounds and vandalized property. He was sentenced to supervised probation. Later, he dropped out of school, stole $45 from his sister's piggy bank and fought with his mother, who kicked him out of the house.
Cory told police officials he was upset about being thrown out, which led to the contract he tried to take out against his parents.
Throughout his troubled childhood, the Troianos would ground Cory for weeks and eventually took away his PlayStation and banned him from watching television.
On June 2, the mother of one of Cory's friends told the Troianos that she'd heard their son, then 16 years old, say he wanted his mother killed. The Troianos called the police and a detective set up a sting. Police lured Corey to a Days Inn hotel and Ryder made a "formal agreement" with an undercover office to have the man kill his mother and stepfather. He was going to pay for the murders with his soon-to-be-deceased stepfather's new pickup truck.
This is a sad, sad story.
Cory Ryder admitted "involvement" last week to solicitation to have his mother and stepfather killed. That was one of four counts against him. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 27.
Shannan and Joey Troiano worried about their son's bad behavior and bad grades at school.
Cory walked out of middle school classes, smashed a fire extinguisher case and once broke into a county fairgrounds and vandalized property. He was sentenced to supervised probation. Later, he dropped out of school, stole $45 from his sister's piggy bank and fought with his mother, who kicked him out of the house.
Cory told police officials he was upset about being thrown out, which led to the contract he tried to take out against his parents.
Throughout his troubled childhood, the Troianos would ground Cory for weeks and eventually took away his PlayStation and banned him from watching television.
On June 2, the mother of one of Cory's friends told the Troianos that she'd heard their son, then 16 years old, say he wanted his mother killed. The Troianos called the police and a detective set up a sting. Police lured Corey to a Days Inn hotel and Ryder made a "formal agreement" with an undercover office to have the man kill his mother and stepfather. He was going to pay for the murders with his soon-to-be-deceased stepfather's new pickup truck.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Wireless N, Powerline Routers boost signal speed
More and more games are dependent on fast Internet connections: for online play, to download updates, to download games or movies.
And these things can be taxing on most wireless routers.
But a new type of wireless standard, called Wireless-N, promises faster speeds and greater coverage in the home.
I recently tried a new Netgear RangeMax Wireless-N router and another new Netgear product, the Powerline HD Adapter.
Combined, these new products could make your life easier.
The Wireless-N router absolutely stomped my standard Netgear Wireless-G router that I've been renting from Time Warner Cable for several years. The wireless signal would often drop out in our house, and you could forget about gaming or downloading anything.
Some mornings, I'd walk into our office, where the modem is, and find my wife, Whitni, on the floor, her laptop wired to the router like an IV because she couldn't get a signal.
With the new N router, I got strong coverage throughout the house. The N routers are said to work better if you buy an outboard Wireless-N card, which I did not have, so my speed might've been better (they would also drive up your costs). The signal, though, was always solid and didn't drop via built-in cards. I was pleased with that.
As for the Powerline? It blew me away. It's plug-and-play simple, and fast. The adapter plugs into your wall socket, and you connect it directly to your router via an ethernet cable. Then you take the second Powerline and plug it into any wall socket in your home, connect your device via another ethernet cable and you're humming.
It sends signals over existing electrical wiring (I'm guessing the better your wiring, the faster your speed). I got speeds nearly as fast as a hardwired connection from all corners of my house. Back yard? No problem. Front yard? Great. Speeds were more than twice as fast as via wireless, which again might be faster with an N card. Xbox Live HD downloads were a snap.
I have a friend who was considering a $2,000 full-house wiring option who, when he saw what he could get for less than $300, couldn't get to CompUSA fast enough.
For heavy Internet users, this is a great setup. You have a great wireless signal throughout the home with Wireless-N, and for times when you really want to scoot across the Net, plug into the Powerline.
The only drawback is cost. The Powerlines are $79 each and the Wireless-N is $129. You will also need a switch (another $40 or so) if you're sending signals to a wireless hub, where you might have a DVR, game console and other devices hungry for an Internet signal.
Given that many Wireless-N users would want the N cards to maximize speed, I would sub out that cost and go Powerline. If need be, you can take one to any room in your house.
Later this month, DLink will offer another solution: a new Wireless-N router that will mate with what the company calls a "Media Bridge," essentially another Wireless-N router with multiple ports to allow you to hook up your gear in a "home run" setup.
The bridge, the company says, will amplify the original signal as well as give you a dedicated signal for media applications like HDTV downloads.
The new DLink router will go for $219. The router should be about $150.
More video game notes
One with everything
Back in the previous century, when I was an editor at Games magazine, we published a fake ad for a device that would play any kind of electronic game -- from PC disks to Nintendo cartridges to "Simon." We got hundreds of letters from people wanting to buy it, and the dream still lives.The ball got rolling again when Gerhard Florin, Electronic Arts' head of international publishing, told the BBC, "We want an open, standard platform, which is much easier than having five which are not compatible." Florin envisions a single set-top box that would have a Nintendo channel, a PlayStation channel and an Xbox channel, which each company developing technology for the unified console. He acknowledged that such a fantasy device is probably about 15 years away.
Dennis Dyack, founder of the Silicon Knights studio ("Eternal Darkness," "Too Human") chimed in with a column in Official Xbox magazine. The current console battle makes it impossible for publishers to decide which platform to focus on, he wrote; a unified console would make games "better in quality, cheaper and more widely available." Dyack added: "It can happen. Better yet, it's inevitable." -- ASSOCIATED PRESS
I'm with the band
Activision's "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock" is in stores this week, and most of the serious shredders we know have already plowed their way through its hefty playlist. They'll probably finish up the expert level around Nov. 20 -- just as the competition, Electronic Arts/MTV Games' "Rock Band," arrives.
EA and MTV want you to do more than just buy their game, however. They see "Rock Band" players as a potential community and intend to relaunch the rockband.com Web site as a hub for wannabe rock stars to create sites, blog about music and post "photos" of their virtual bands.
The publishers are also trying to duplicate one real-life aspect of the road to rock 'n' roll glory: the "musicians meeting musicians" classified page. The rockband.com classifieds will let you advertise your own skills or search for talent to fill out your own lineup. And since players around the world can hook up, a singer in Omaha could end up with a drummer in Osaka. -- ASSOCIATED PRESS
-- Langston Wertz Jr: 704-358-5133; lwertz@charlotteobserver.com
And these things can be taxing on most wireless routers.
But a new type of wireless standard, called Wireless-N, promises faster speeds and greater coverage in the home.
I recently tried a new Netgear RangeMax Wireless-N router and another new Netgear product, the Powerline HD Adapter.
Combined, these new products could make your life easier.
The Wireless-N router absolutely stomped my standard Netgear Wireless-G router that I've been renting from Time Warner Cable for several years. The wireless signal would often drop out in our house, and you could forget about gaming or downloading anything.
Some mornings, I'd walk into our office, where the modem is, and find my wife, Whitni, on the floor, her laptop wired to the router like an IV because she couldn't get a signal.
With the new N router, I got strong coverage throughout the house. The N routers are said to work better if you buy an outboard Wireless-N card, which I did not have, so my speed might've been better (they would also drive up your costs). The signal, though, was always solid and didn't drop via built-in cards. I was pleased with that.
As for the Powerline? It blew me away. It's plug-and-play simple, and fast. The adapter plugs into your wall socket, and you connect it directly to your router via an ethernet cable. Then you take the second Powerline and plug it into any wall socket in your home, connect your device via another ethernet cable and you're humming.
It sends signals over existing electrical wiring (I'm guessing the better your wiring, the faster your speed). I got speeds nearly as fast as a hardwired connection from all corners of my house. Back yard? No problem. Front yard? Great. Speeds were more than twice as fast as via wireless, which again might be faster with an N card. Xbox Live HD downloads were a snap.
I have a friend who was considering a $2,000 full-house wiring option who, when he saw what he could get for less than $300, couldn't get to CompUSA fast enough.
For heavy Internet users, this is a great setup. You have a great wireless signal throughout the home with Wireless-N, and for times when you really want to scoot across the Net, plug into the Powerline.
The only drawback is cost. The Powerlines are $79 each and the Wireless-N is $129. You will also need a switch (another $40 or so) if you're sending signals to a wireless hub, where you might have a DVR, game console and other devices hungry for an Internet signal.
Given that many Wireless-N users would want the N cards to maximize speed, I would sub out that cost and go Powerline. If need be, you can take one to any room in your house.
Later this month, DLink will offer another solution: a new Wireless-N router that will mate with what the company calls a "Media Bridge," essentially another Wireless-N router with multiple ports to allow you to hook up your gear in a "home run" setup.
The bridge, the company says, will amplify the original signal as well as give you a dedicated signal for media applications like HDTV downloads.
The new DLink router will go for $219. The router should be about $150.
More video game notes
One with everything
Back in the previous century, when I was an editor at Games magazine, we published a fake ad for a device that would play any kind of electronic game -- from PC disks to Nintendo cartridges to "Simon." We got hundreds of letters from people wanting to buy it, and the dream still lives.The ball got rolling again when Gerhard Florin, Electronic Arts' head of international publishing, told the BBC, "We want an open, standard platform, which is much easier than having five which are not compatible." Florin envisions a single set-top box that would have a Nintendo channel, a PlayStation channel and an Xbox channel, which each company developing technology for the unified console. He acknowledged that such a fantasy device is probably about 15 years away.
Dennis Dyack, founder of the Silicon Knights studio ("Eternal Darkness," "Too Human") chimed in with a column in Official Xbox magazine. The current console battle makes it impossible for publishers to decide which platform to focus on, he wrote; a unified console would make games "better in quality, cheaper and more widely available." Dyack added: "It can happen. Better yet, it's inevitable." -- ASSOCIATED PRESS
I'm with the band
Activision's "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock" is in stores this week, and most of the serious shredders we know have already plowed their way through its hefty playlist. They'll probably finish up the expert level around Nov. 20 -- just as the competition, Electronic Arts/MTV Games' "Rock Band," arrives.
EA and MTV want you to do more than just buy their game, however. They see "Rock Band" players as a potential community and intend to relaunch the rockband.com Web site as a hub for wannabe rock stars to create sites, blog about music and post "photos" of their virtual bands.
The publishers are also trying to duplicate one real-life aspect of the road to rock 'n' roll glory: the "musicians meeting musicians" classified page. The rockband.com classifieds will let you advertise your own skills or search for talent to fill out your own lineup. And since players around the world can hook up, a singer in Omaha could end up with a drummer in Osaka. -- ASSOCIATED PRESS
-- Langston Wertz Jr: 704-358-5133; lwertz@charlotteobserver.com
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
DirecTV On Demand Hits Charlotte
DirecTV's new on demand service officially hit Charlotte today. Customers who have an broadband connection to their HR-20 receiver, should be able to access the service by visiting Channel 1000, or by pressing the menu button and choosing "On Demand."
The service downloads programming from many providers onto your DVR. You can begin watching as soon as downloads start, though depending on your speed, your programming may be interrupted until it is finished.
DirecTV has downloaded a five minute tutorial to view, but this is pretty easy to use. You can search by show, actor or genre. There's no HD yet, but it's coming. Picture quality is pretty good, about on par for standard HD fare. It'll be interesting to see what 1080i or 720p look like -- and how long it'll take to download.
The service downloads programming from many providers onto your DVR. You can begin watching as soon as downloads start, though depending on your speed, your programming may be interrupted until it is finished.
DirecTV has downloaded a five minute tutorial to view, but this is pretty easy to use. You can search by show, actor or genre. There's no HD yet, but it's coming. Picture quality is pretty good, about on par for standard HD fare. It'll be interesting to see what 1080i or 720p look like -- and how long it'll take to download.
Monday, October 29, 2007
PS3 Price Drop Coming & It's A Good Move
The PlayStation 3 is getting another price drop.
Last week, Sony announced a 40-gigabyte model that will sell for $399 and come bundled with the new "Spider-Man 3" Blu-Ray disc.
The 80-gigabyte model is dropping $100, to $499.
Sony needs to do something to kick-start sales of the PS3, which struggled in September. According to the NPD Group, which tracks the videogame industry, Sony sold only 119,000 PS3s last month.
By comparison: Bolstered by the excellent "Halo 3," Microsoft sold 528,000 Xbox 360s last month, up 50 percent from August. The Xbox unit got more affordable recently; it's now $349.99 for the regular 360 unit and $449.99 for the Elite model.
And Nintendo moved 501,000 Wii units, which run out of stores for about $250.
Overall, I think Sony is making a smart move with its new pricing model.
Although I'm often branded a "Sony fanboy" by some posters at my blog (http://langstonwertz.blogspot.com), I truly believe the PS3 is the best of the newest consoles. Sure, Sony needs to improve its online service, which cannot touch Xbox Live. But it is the most powerful of the current consoles and provides the most eye-popping graphics, which help games seem even more realistic.
Sony plans to release a rumble-enabled controller in the U.S. early next year, which is smart, and there's potential in the Wii-mote-like motion-sensor feature that hasn't been tapped yet.
One caveat? While the 80GB version will have backwards-compatibility with PS2 games, the cheaper PS3 model will not. I'm sure Sony is counting on one of either two things: 1) Most people who will have interest in a new PS3 already have a PS2 to play those old games on; or 2) they are new Sony PlayStation customers who don't have any PS2 titles.
The cheaper PS3 will, however, maintain the Blu-Ray player, the built-in hard drive, integrated Wi-Fi, an Internet browser and Sony's Cell Broadband Engine.
(By the way, the Blu-Ray player on the machines is as good as any high-definition DVD player you can find, and could make the unit appealing to members of your family who don't game. Watching Blu-Ray -- or HD-DVD on so-equipped 360s -- is a totally different experience from watching standard DVDs. The movies almost appear in 3D, with eye-popping color and better sound.)
So whereas the original PS3 seemed to be making consumers pay a premium for bells and whistles like Blu-Ray, the new lower price gives the distinct feel that consumers are getting some great features as a bonus.
Finally, Sony appears poised going into this holiday season and next year to make up some ground in the number of titles available, which has been disappointing.
Jack Tretton, president of Sony Computer Entertainment, said the company's big upcoming games include "Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction," "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare" and "Assassin's Creed."
It looks like Sony is finally trying to get it right.
Last week, Sony announced a 40-gigabyte model that will sell for $399 and come bundled with the new "Spider-Man 3" Blu-Ray disc.
The 80-gigabyte model is dropping $100, to $499.
Sony needs to do something to kick-start sales of the PS3, which struggled in September. According to the NPD Group, which tracks the videogame industry, Sony sold only 119,000 PS3s last month.
By comparison: Bolstered by the excellent "Halo 3," Microsoft sold 528,000 Xbox 360s last month, up 50 percent from August. The Xbox unit got more affordable recently; it's now $349.99 for the regular 360 unit and $449.99 for the Elite model.
And Nintendo moved 501,000 Wii units, which run out of stores for about $250.
Overall, I think Sony is making a smart move with its new pricing model.
Although I'm often branded a "Sony fanboy" by some posters at my blog (http://langstonwertz.blogspot.com), I truly believe the PS3 is the best of the newest consoles. Sure, Sony needs to improve its online service, which cannot touch Xbox Live. But it is the most powerful of the current consoles and provides the most eye-popping graphics, which help games seem even more realistic.
Sony plans to release a rumble-enabled controller in the U.S. early next year, which is smart, and there's potential in the Wii-mote-like motion-sensor feature that hasn't been tapped yet.
One caveat? While the 80GB version will have backwards-compatibility with PS2 games, the cheaper PS3 model will not. I'm sure Sony is counting on one of either two things: 1) Most people who will have interest in a new PS3 already have a PS2 to play those old games on; or 2) they are new Sony PlayStation customers who don't have any PS2 titles.
The cheaper PS3 will, however, maintain the Blu-Ray player, the built-in hard drive, integrated Wi-Fi, an Internet browser and Sony's Cell Broadband Engine.
(By the way, the Blu-Ray player on the machines is as good as any high-definition DVD player you can find, and could make the unit appealing to members of your family who don't game. Watching Blu-Ray -- or HD-DVD on so-equipped 360s -- is a totally different experience from watching standard DVDs. The movies almost appear in 3D, with eye-popping color and better sound.)
So whereas the original PS3 seemed to be making consumers pay a premium for bells and whistles like Blu-Ray, the new lower price gives the distinct feel that consumers are getting some great features as a bonus.
Finally, Sony appears poised going into this holiday season and next year to make up some ground in the number of titles available, which has been disappointing.
Jack Tretton, president of Sony Computer Entertainment, said the company's big upcoming games include "Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction," "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare" and "Assassin's Creed."
It looks like Sony is finally trying to get it right.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
$199 HD-DVDs & VOD on DirecTV
OK, that's a lot of acronyms, right, but there are two big developments in the electronics world this week.
There's a new sub-200 buck HD-DVD player in stores now, and DirecTV has launched its video-on-demand service as it tries to separate itself even further from cable and DISH network competition.
WAL-MART ADDS $$198 HD DVD PLAYERS
The battle for the next-generation of HD DVD players got a big push this week when Wal-Mart started carrying HD-DVDs for $198. It's a Toshiba model and is more than $100 cheaper than the best price I've seen for a Blu-Ray player.
If you haven't heard, there are two types of players for high definition content via DVDs: Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. Like VHS and Beta a long time ago, the two formats are not compatible with each other and some companies only release on one format or the other. So if you like Spider-Man 3, you can only see it on Blu-Ray. Like Transformers? It's only on HD-DVD.
Now, you cannot get high definition pictures through your regular DVD player, even if you have a high def TV. Yes, most standard DVD players, when connected through HDMI or component video connections (the cords with the red, blue and green connectors), the picture will look better than you have seen. Going hi-def is a whole 'nother world.
Wal-Mart's promotion of HD-DVD is big. About as big as when Blockbuster decided to only rent Blu-Ray movies. You can rent HD-DVDs from Netflix, however. At one point, I was thinking Blu-Ray -- with its support from Sony and its PlayStation 3 -- would win this war. With Wal-Mart on the scene, I don't know anymore. I do know several companies with interests in either format or starting to line the pockets of retailers and film studios to support their brand.
So if you're thinking about making the jump to next-generation DVD, which creates an amazing experience, I'd suggest studying which companies are putting out the movies you want to see or looking at how you get your content. I have a few friends who already had PS3 (and Blu-Ray) and are now planning to do the $198 player at Wal-Mart or add the Xbox 360 HD-DVD player. But that's a lot of money.
I wish we could get to one format.
DirecTV adds DirecTV-On-Demand
Last week, DirecTV began to deploy its video-on-demand service called "DOD" or DirecTV on Demand. The service allows viewers to download programming to their receiver via satellite or internet connection.
To get it your HR-20 receiver (or newer) has to be connected to a broadband internet connection. Your receiver also has to have the latest software downloaded to it, and DirecTV was still deploying that software, version 0x1B4, around the country -- and to the Charlotte area. When you get it and are connected to the internet, you'll see a DOD option in your main menu as well as channels in the 1000s.
So far most of the channels in the service are free, though there are some that have charges. The content is available 24/7/365 but you cannot access the entire program when you select it, unlike cable. You have to wait for the program to download, which will depend on your internet connection speed and type of program you download (HDTV or not). You can start watching the program shortly after you start the download, similar to watching a recording on a DVR while it still taping.
Here are the current channels available via DirecTV's new DOD program:
1000 DTV
1101 The 101
1202 CNN
1235 Style
1236 E!
1245 TNT
1246 Court TV
1247 TBS
1249 Comedy Central
1250 Fox Reality
1256 Turner Classic Movies
1263 LOGO
1265 A&E
1269 History
1276 National Geographic
1277 Travel
1278 Discovery
1279 Discovery Health
1280 TLC
1282 Animal Planet
1284 Discovery Science
1285 Discovery Times
1287 Military
1294 Discovery Kids
1295 PBS Kids Sprout
1296 Cartoon Network
1297 Boomerang
1298 Noggin
1300 Nickelodeon
1303 The N
1327 CMT
1329 BET
1331 MTV
1333 MTV2
1335 VH1
1337 VH1 Classic
1339 Fuse
1354 G4
1416 MTV Tr3s
1419 CNN in Español
1520 Starz
1526 Encore
1605 Golf
1607 Speed
1608 Versus
1801 Anime
1802 Eurocinema
1829 Concert.TV
1886 Adult Swim on Demand
1994 Octane
There's a new sub-200 buck HD-DVD player in stores now, and DirecTV has launched its video-on-demand service as it tries to separate itself even further from cable and DISH network competition.
WAL-MART ADDS $$198 HD DVD PLAYERS
The battle for the next-generation of HD DVD players got a big push this week when Wal-Mart started carrying HD-DVDs for $198. It's a Toshiba model and is more than $100 cheaper than the best price I've seen for a Blu-Ray player.
If you haven't heard, there are two types of players for high definition content via DVDs: Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. Like VHS and Beta a long time ago, the two formats are not compatible with each other and some companies only release on one format or the other. So if you like Spider-Man 3, you can only see it on Blu-Ray. Like Transformers? It's only on HD-DVD.
Now, you cannot get high definition pictures through your regular DVD player, even if you have a high def TV. Yes, most standard DVD players, when connected through HDMI or component video connections (the cords with the red, blue and green connectors), the picture will look better than you have seen. Going hi-def is a whole 'nother world.
Wal-Mart's promotion of HD-DVD is big. About as big as when Blockbuster decided to only rent Blu-Ray movies. You can rent HD-DVDs from Netflix, however. At one point, I was thinking Blu-Ray -- with its support from Sony and its PlayStation 3 -- would win this war. With Wal-Mart on the scene, I don't know anymore. I do know several companies with interests in either format or starting to line the pockets of retailers and film studios to support their brand.
So if you're thinking about making the jump to next-generation DVD, which creates an amazing experience, I'd suggest studying which companies are putting out the movies you want to see or looking at how you get your content. I have a few friends who already had PS3 (and Blu-Ray) and are now planning to do the $198 player at Wal-Mart or add the Xbox 360 HD-DVD player. But that's a lot of money.
I wish we could get to one format.
DirecTV adds DirecTV-On-Demand
Last week, DirecTV began to deploy its video-on-demand service called "DOD" or DirecTV on Demand. The service allows viewers to download programming to their receiver via satellite or internet connection.
To get it your HR-20 receiver (or newer) has to be connected to a broadband internet connection. Your receiver also has to have the latest software downloaded to it, and DirecTV was still deploying that software, version 0x1B4, around the country -- and to the Charlotte area. When you get it and are connected to the internet, you'll see a DOD option in your main menu as well as channels in the 1000s.
So far most of the channels in the service are free, though there are some that have charges. The content is available 24/7/365 but you cannot access the entire program when you select it, unlike cable. You have to wait for the program to download, which will depend on your internet connection speed and type of program you download (HDTV or not). You can start watching the program shortly after you start the download, similar to watching a recording on a DVR while it still taping.
Here are the current channels available via DirecTV's new DOD program:
1000 DTV
1101 The 101
1202 CNN
1235 Style
1236 E!
1245 TNT
1246 Court TV
1247 TBS
1249 Comedy Central
1250 Fox Reality
1256 Turner Classic Movies
1263 LOGO
1265 A&E
1269 History
1276 National Geographic
1277 Travel
1278 Discovery
1279 Discovery Health
1280 TLC
1282 Animal Planet
1284 Discovery Science
1285 Discovery Times
1287 Military
1294 Discovery Kids
1295 PBS Kids Sprout
1296 Cartoon Network
1297 Boomerang
1298 Noggin
1300 Nickelodeon
1303 The N
1327 CMT
1329 BET
1331 MTV
1333 MTV2
1335 VH1
1337 VH1 Classic
1339 Fuse
1354 G4
1416 MTV Tr3s
1419 CNN in Español
1520 Starz
1526 Encore
1605 Golf
1607 Speed
1608 Versus
1801 Anime
1802 Eurocinema
1829 Concert.TV
1886 Adult Swim on Demand
1994 Octane
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