Recent Comments:
Borderlands PC DRM loyally guards street date; Pitchford unable to order stand-down {Joystiq}
Nov 23rd 2009 9:26PM I guess that's a good point... our dollars are encouraging them to continue the bullshit. But the absolute WORST thing you can do is buy the console version instead.
I suppose our safest course of action is to buy a bunch as many DRM-free games as we can, to show developers that we are willing to buy games that actually work right. Such games are hard to find though...
XCM offers up Mega-Cool component-to-VGA converter {Engadget}
Nov 9th 2009 8:23PM You won't be able to get your games to output that resolution over component, but if you set your game console to output 720p, your display should be able to scale that to 1366x768.
XCM offers up Mega-Cool component-to-VGA converter {Engadget}
Nov 9th 2009 8:21PM The XCM Mega-Cool was one of many component-to-VGA units my company considered when we had to replace the Vdigi VD-Z3 (it was discontinued by the manufacturer). It's nothing to get excited about... here's my summary after thoroughly testing it:
"I've got mixed feelings about this unit. On the one hand, we finally have a unit that supports 480i sources! It correctly de-interlaces such that 480i worked perfectly on both the CRT and LCD I tested with.
On the other hand, the video is pretty terrible. Where the Vdigi mildly abused the gamma curve to achieve more 'pop', the XCM Mega-Cool unit absolutely reamed it. Blacks are absurdly crushed and the brighter parts of the image were overbearing as well.
The selectable refresh rate was causing problems. The XCM Mega-Cool lets you select your output refresh rate and resolution, but doesn't remember your setting; so when you unplug/replug, it goes back to default. This would be a good thing, except for some reason the default for 480i/480p didn't show up on either monitor of mine. Every time I plugged in the XCM Mega-Cool at that resolution, I had to hit the "change refresh rate" button to get a picture.
It also included a silly Y-cable for power; USB mini-B to TWO USB A plugs. This is especially silly since the unit seemed to operate fine with just one of the ports connected.
The XCM Mega-Cool includes audio switching, something neither the Vdigi nor generic unit offers. However, I think that's a minor feature.
Bottom line, I like the 480i support, but the unit is overall unimpressive due to its terrible video quality and refresh rate issues. I wouldn't choose it for myself."
Ultimately, this little baby performs way better, unless you need 480i support:
http://www.datapro.net/products/hdtv-component-to-vga-converter.html
Video: Intel's Light Peak running an HD display while transferring files... on a hackintosh {Engadget}
Oct 8th 2009 8:18PM "So you'll notice that this scanner... woah. Uh..."
"That must be why we're not shipping Windows 98 yet."
Pioneer's 12x BDR-205 Blu-ray burner is so fast it's ahead of its time {Engadget}
Sep 30th 2009 2:30PM 1X speed generally means the standard speed for reading. 1X CD is the speed needed for audio CD playback, 1X DVD is the speed needed for DVD video playback (although the bitrates can vary), and likewise for 1X Blu-ray.
Sony's red and blue DualShock 3 controllers land in October, love this country {Engadget}
Jul 28th 2009 9:20PM Barf. I dislike the every iteration of the DualShock. It's all based on an afterthought on the PS1 controller -- basically, "oh crap, we need analog sticks because the N64 has it". The controller layout is clearly catered to using everything effectively but the analog sticks.
The design made sense as an optional add-on for the PS1, where most games wouldn't use the analog sticks. It didn't make sense to carry over this terrible design to the PS2 and PS3.
Microsoft's original Xbox controller was pretty terrible too (in my opinion), but at least they realized it and improved.
Sony's red and blue DualShock 3 controllers land in October, love this country {Engadget}
Jul 28th 2009 9:10PM They're... dual-wielding?
Split Stick double-sided USB drive keeps personal / private matters separate {Engadget}
Jul 24th 2009 8:50PM You could also use NTFS on one side and HFS+ on the other, so both platforms could use files greater than 4GB (FAT32 does not support this).
Fujitsu promises to deliver fastest gaming rig "on the planet" {Engadget}
Jul 24th 2009 8:46PM Bullshit. There's no way a company can mass-produce the "fastest machine on the planet".
By the time it's gone through their design and approval process, newer hardware will be out that can be clocked higher. Not to mention the fact that they'll need to hand-pick the most overclockable units out of a batch of parts using rigorous overclocked testing, which is going to drive the cost up even more (because of time spent and parts burned out).
Project Natal video hands-on, impressions, and further details {Engadget}
Jun 15th 2009 8:29PM @xcrunk: Hardcore gamers use a keyboard and mouse for shooters, HOTAS stick/throttle for flight sims, etc. Hardcore gamers will not miss gamepads.
