Recent Comments:
New Digital Copies on the actual Blu-ray Disc from Sony exclusively for the PSP {Engadget HD}
Sep 29th 2009 3:03PM Is that Star Wars box art?
Ask Engadget HD: 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound audio for beginners? {Engadget HD}
Sep 17th 2009 4:34PM In regards to 5.1 vs. 7.1, I would buy something at least capable of decoding that information (ie: everything these days) so you have the capability for the future if you ever decide to go that route. HOWEVER, when initially building the system, it will be MUCH better to invest that money that would be spent on two additional speakers on buying better speakers or electronics upfront. A system will sound much better having 5 good speakers than 7 just OK speakers. Think quality over quantity. In fact, there's no shame in taking it even further; getting a great pair of speakers (as long as they're appropriate for your amplification (aka don't buy a $300 receiver to drive $2000 speakers)), and buying matching center, surrounds, and sub at a later date. This may provide you with much more satisfaction in the long run.
As far as which products to look for; audition audition audition!! Make sure what you buy is something you can enjoy and live with! Also, dont be an a-hole and take time from a dealer to see what you like then buy elsewhere. Just make sure they offer good valued products and you wont be getting "ripped off".
If you're totally in the dark on what brands are good and which to avoid, avoid HTIB's, and Bose. They are generally not a good value, especially bose stuff. For receivers and other electronics, I have had good experiences with Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, and Yamaha. Higher up on the chain you could go with brands like Rotel, NAD, and Cambridge (although blu-ray players are largely unnecessarily expensive from high-end companies due to the nature of the technology behind blu-ray and HDMI). For speakers look at Paradigm, Polk, B&W, PSB, Definitive, etc... As far as higher end speakers that I find to still be reputable and a good value; Vandersteen, Theil, upper-end B&W & Paradigm, this list is really miles long... Speakers will probably the most personal-preference type of decision you make in acquiring your system, so take your time and audition lots of brands in your price point from multiple dealers if possible. If you're planning on surround sound pick a speaker brand based on how it will sound in a surround setup as well as music even if you dont plan on going surround right away. Some companies make great 2-channel speakers, but lame center channels (Martin Logan is a good example of this IMHO), for example. Matching is key to a seamless surround sound experience.
Hope this helps!
Double Fusion slows down WipEout HD with ads {Joystiq}
Aug 3rd 2009 11:55PM It's lame enough there are ads at all (which arent new to Wipeout...) but come on?! State Farm? WTH?! It's so out of place in the Wipeout universe! If it didnt affect loading, I probably wouldnt have a problem with say Red Bull ads, after all, it was Wipeout XL that introduced me to Red Bull!
The Secret of Monkey Island: SE released for iPhone {Joystiq}
Jul 23rd 2009 2:04AM With regards to downloadable games specifically, wouldnt it be awesome if publishers let you download a game (like this one) for multiple platforms and only pay for it once? Especially if there was a service that synced your saves... I suppose Sony sort of lets you do that with PS1 games that play on both the PS3 and PSP, but I dont know if saves get synced... anyone?
The Secret of Monkey Island: SE released for iPhone {Joystiq}
Jul 23rd 2009 1:56AM FUCK. I just bought this for PC. It's a blessing and a curse sometimes having several platforms at your disposal. I would have loved to see how it plays differently on XBLA than the PC (where there's currently a few bugs). But I have been craving a good adventure game for my iphone, and this would have been a sweet deal...
Engadget HD's recession antidote: win a pair of THIEL PowerPoint speakers {Engadget HD}
Jul 22nd 2009 4:14AM Man it would be sweet to own a pair of Thiels. I admire their persistence to maintaining time and phase accuracy and their house-built drivers. I've been rocking stereo for far too long, slowly building my system up over time to maintain quality. So far I rock some time and phase accurate mains (Vandersteens), with a 5 channel amp, leaving three of those beautiful channels without any love... Now that I'm out of a job, it's going to be an even longer a wait to step it up to surround... sigh... :(
You know you're a videophile if... {Engadget HD}
Jul 9th 2009 5:08AM NICE!! I subscribe to pretty much all of those statements (although I dont really watch a lot of HBO HD, and my plasma doesnt have a zero overscan setting)!
Architect's Journal ranks top 10 gaming worlds {Joystiq}
Jun 25th 2009 3:03PM Not a bad list, but clearly missing some prime examples: Rapture, City 17, the architecture of Mass Effect, and pretty much every final fantasy since VII. I might even throw in Cera (is that the city name?) from Gears of War.
Major Nelson: Xbox 360 guide faster after next update {Joystiq}
Jun 22nd 2009 11:14PM Good call, I really should just get a memory card.
Major Nelson: Xbox 360 guide faster after next update {Joystiq}
Jun 22nd 2009 2:32PM There needs to be a unified way to play both local splitscreen and on XBL (at the same time), without going through the really lengthy process of downloading your profile at your friends house, then having to re-download your profile once you get home!! I cant be the only one who occasionally likes to play with both friends online as well as in the same room!
