gladget magazine november 2011

Toys and video games combine in Skylanders

MSI Radeon R6990 Graphics Card

Samsung Q10 Video Camera

Super Toys

Big VGAHandy...

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Join fortune-hunter Nathan Drake as he embarks on his most perilous adventure yet. His search for the lost Atlantis of the Sands will take him from the mean streets of London to the unforgiving

Arabian Desert, as trouble hunts him down, every step of the way.

Visit eu.playstation.com

Hello trouble

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From the Editor

Sky’s the LimitActivision launches an exciting new franchise

Photography PrimerAll those file types...

ReviewsEverything from high end graphics to comfy seating...

DVD SeenSome awesome movies to watch... and some other movies, too!

Money to BurnIn control

Inner WorkingsKilling the racket

Dead EndBeep, beep...

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Inside

g l a dg e t c o n t en t s • i s s u e 13 • N ovembe r 20114

THIS MONTH’S COVERActivision combines toys and

video games.See the feature on page 8.

MSI Radeon R6990 VGA Card

Samsung Q10 Video Camera

BlackBerry Playbook

SanDisk Sansa Clip+ MP3 Player

Logitech G330 Gaming Headset

Egreat R200-II Media Player

Sony Ericsson Arc Mobile handset

Epson Stylus Office B42WD Printer

Samsung SH100 Camera

LG 47LW6510 47” Cinema 3D Smart TV

Egreat R6A-II Media Player

Tritton AX 720 Headphones

Sumo Omni Beanbag

LG BD670 3D Blu-ray Player

Logitech Z110 Stereo Speakers

Forza Motorsport 4 (X360)

Batman: Arkham City (X360)

Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure (X360)

Rev

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Editor:Walt [email protected]

Writers:Brian MurdochCharlie FrippChristo van GemertDylan BouchAlex ScanlonRob Edwards

Letters:[email protected]

Competition Entries:[email protected]

Newsletter Subscriptions:www.gladget.co.za

Design & Photography:1337 Media

Technical Support:Brian Murdoch

Marketing Contact:Katia [email protected]

g l a dg e t c o n t en t s • i s s u e 13 • N ovembe r 2011 5

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Copyright © 1337 Media CC 2009 - 2011

GLADGET Volume 2 Issue 13November 2011

GAMECCA is published by 1337 MEDIA

technology. simply.

All rights reserved. No content may be reproduced, copied or transmitted without the express permission of the publishers. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editors and publishers. All Trademarks and Registered Trademarks are the sole property of the respective owners.

Adobe CS5 CREATED USING

MASTER SUITE

I may have mentioned this before; I have a heavy-handed approach to my writing. I don’t mean that I get

all brutal in reviews or take a hard-line stance. I mean that I am literally heavy-handed. My typing sounds like a herd of buffalo stampeding over a sheet of corrugated iron. My keyboard hates me, I assure you, because when I get going I thunder away on the keyboard like a crazed orang-utan trying to crack monkey-nuts out of a safe.

My keyboard isn’t the only one that dreads my thunderous typing, though… everyone in the Gladget office has bought themselves a set of noise-cancelling headphones (which we investigate in this month’s Inner Workings, by the way) and they still complain about the racket that comes out of my little corner.

I have even gone as far as to buy one of those roll-up, flexible keyboards. That solves the noise problem, for sure… no matter how hard I hammer it, it doesn’t make a sound. But – and here’s the odd part – I just cannot get my work done on it. I have taken on the assumption that it is because I need to get used to it. It feels different, and the key response is not what one would expect. So I have told myself that, during the quieter days coming up before the next deadline, I will train myself to use it.

My fear is, though, that it has nothing to do with key-response and feel. I think it might actually have to do with the fact that the clattering of my keyboard helps me work up a good writing pace, like a therapeutic, hypnotic pattern that focuses my

mind and gets me into writing mode. I really hope that isn’t the case. And so do the Gladget crew…

While I am doing that, you can enjoy this issue of Gladget Magazine. Our cover features Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventures. This game offers parents a safe alternative to some of the more questionable video games out there, and makes use of an amazing technology to boot. And while you’re playing it, you can try out the Sumo Omni Beanbag Chair as well. Yes, it’s a piece of furniture, but it’s awesomeness meant we just had to include it… it is an essential piece of entertainment equipment.

Aside from that, we have lots of other reviews and regulars for your reading enjoyment. We hope you have a good time! g

by Walt Pretorius

g l a dg e t c o l umn • i s s u e 13 • N ovembe r 20116

Sounds of Silence

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© 2011 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Screen images are simulated.

INCREDIBLE DEPTH FORTHE ULTIMATE GAMING EXPERIENCE.Experience real-life depth with the new Samsung 3D LED monitor.

Real 120Hz • Brighter* 3D images • 2D to 3D image conversion • www.samsung.com

* Brightness comparison based upon monitors with same brightness in 2D. *3D glasses are required and are included with purchase.

Sout

h Af

rica

g l a dg e t f e a t u r e • i s s u e 13 • N ovembe r 20118

by Alex Scanlon

Featu

re

Activision bridges the gap between toys and gamesSky’s the Limit

g l a dg e t f e a t u r e • i s s u e 13 • N ovembe r 2011 9

Video gaming so often comes under fire for the potentially harmful effects they may have on youngsters. To try and take

advantage of the younger market, video game developers and publishers often try to bring games more suitable for younger players to the market, but these sometimes prove to be short, lower quality affairs that do not engage their target audience on a deep enough level.

Activision are a company that have varied aspects to their reputation, but one thing that they are known for is innovation. Take the Guitar Hero franchise, for example. Despite the added cost of extra peripherals, this series proved to be extremely popular the world over, with a strong after-sales market in the form of extra downloadable songs. This extended into Band Hero and DJ Hero as well, and even though these games have been shelved for now, their success was undeniable.

Even Activision’s popular hunting simulations, in the form of the Cabela’s franchise, have recently benefitted from this approach, with a specialised light gun added to the mix.

But now Activision have launched an arguably more ambitious project, and one that will delight parents of younger gamers for numerous reasons. Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure is the first title in what will undoubtedly become a very popular franchise for the giant publisher, partially because it straddles the gap between video games and collectable toys.

Skylanders is comprised of two main components. The first is the game, a platform style action-adventure set in a fantasy world that is under threat from a great evil. Into this world come the Skylanders, heroes of old who must protect the Skylands from this threat. But the characters themselves are not – strictly speaking – all present in the game. Rather, they need to be unlocked…

And this is where the second component of the franchise comes in; collectable figurines. The high quality characters are beautifully designed and will not only be appealing to kids (there will be more than a few adults proudly displaying their collection of Skylanders figures.) Figurines will be readily


available, and with a large number of different characters, kids will be able to collect them for some time.

The two components tie together via a device that creators Toys for Bob have called the Portal of Power. By placing a figurine on the portal, the player can use that particular character in the game – essentially bringing the character ‘to life’ in a virtual format.

“These are more than action figures. They are inter-action figures,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing. “By pairing world class character design, world class video game design and world class story telling into one entertainment experience, we’ve given players a whole new genre that bridges the gap between the real and virtual worlds. From the first time a kid picked up a stick and pretended it was a sword, toys have unlocked kids’ imaginations. And how often have you wanted to bring those toys to life, to see them become animated and take them on an adventure? Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure does just that.”

This idea is facilitated through numerous very clever design ideas that Activision and Toys for Bob have implemented. Using the idea of “toys with brains”, the creators have designed figurines that not only activate characters within the game, but also serve as devices to save elements of the game progress. Each figure has on-board memory, that tracks the character’s progress in the game, as well as other elements like who own the figurine.

Adding even further, Activision have created a system that means the figurines are not platform specific. With Skylanders appearing on a large number of gaming platforms, the headaches and heartaches that would arise from figures made specifically for one platform or another have been avoided… specific figures can be purchased without the user needing to worry whether the game will be played on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii or any of the other platforms that Skylanders will be available on.

This idea extends further, making Skylanders a social pastime as well. A user can, thanks to the saving element and cross-platform compatibility, use his figurines with any copy of the game.

“Imagine a kid taking his Skylanders toy and bringing it to life on his X-Box 360 one day, then


bringing it to life on his friend’s PS3 the next day, then bringing it to life inside his 3DS and playing it in the back of his parents’ car the next day, then bringing it to life on the web the day after that, all the while, building his character’s strength and powers across all of those platforms,” said Hirshberg. “It brings the physical and virtual worlds of play together in a whole new way.

“Everyone at Activision and Toys for Bob has poured a tremendous amount of passion, imagination and love into creating Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure. And while it’s certainly gratifying to receive recognition from the likes of Toy Insider and Time to Play, we are most excited to share Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure with the most important audience of all, young gamers everywhere.”

With several figures available at launch time, parents will have plenty of stocking stuffers available for the upcoming Festive Season. While the game comes with three figurines, more figurines and adventure packs can be bought individually.

Each character, represented by the figurines, will has its own set of abilities, and belongs to one of eight classes. Certain areas within the game can only be accessed by characters of specific classes, while other areas will give those characters better abilities. The adventure packs will unlock new stages within the game as well.

There is no doubt that Activision sees a potential for profit in this franchise. With the figures weighing in at around R120 apiece, as well as the necessity to have at least one of every category to truly complete the game, sales of Skylanders merchandise should be good. And, without a doubt, Activision will be releasing further editions of the game down the line, to ensure extra longevity and increased profits from any new characters and expansions.

While it might seem like a bit of a cash cow, parents who invest in this franchise for their kids will also be buying peace of mind. Skylanders is thoroughly ‘safe’ for children, and promises an engaging and exciting experience for all who play it. And, with the series only just having been launched, the sky is the limit for this original and unique approach to video gaming for youngsters.. g

g l a dg e t r e gu l a r • i s s u e 13 • N ovembe r 201114

by Walt Pretorius

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Which formats are best?The Right File

g l a dg e t r e gu l a r • i s s u e 13 • N ovembe r 2011 15

Adobe CS5 PRESENTED BY

MASTER SUITE

The storage of digital images provides photographers – across all levels of enthusiasm and capability – with a lot of advantages. Back when film was the

norm, prints could fade with time (and often took up a lot of space) and negatives, when they didn’t get lost, would slowly deteriorate as well. Aside from the costs involved in film photography, preserving images could become problematic… and losing a prized photograph to damage or the ravages of time could be painful.

The digital photography realm mitigates a lot of the problems that could plague film photographers in this regard. Storage of digital images is simple – all you need is a computer, really. And while the images take up space on a hard drive, they do not require much physical space to safely store. After all, a hard drive does not expand when you put more images or data on it.

But there are other issues that need to be considered in this matter. While photographs can literally last forever if correctly stored, damage to the hard drive or accidental deletion can lose swathes of images in one fell swoop. It is always a good idea to have at least one back-up, and it is a better idea to have more, if possible. An external hard drive and writable DVDs make for great back-ups, and using both is even better. Also, always remember that original images need to be preserved… that means keeping images as ‘negatives’, unaltered in any way, in a separate folder. This will always ensure that photographs can be used in a variety of ways; a single image can result in several different ones, with different cropping and photo-editing techniques applied.

If you are a prolific photographer, this can also consume a lot of space, and can even necessitate the purchase of several storage devices. It is a good idea to categorise your photographs, to avoid repetition, and to store them in the correct file format.

There are several file formats out there, some with rather specific tasks. The most common format is the JPEG, which is a compressible bit-map image file. They shouldn’t be confused with actual bitmap files (which have a BMP file extension.) See, all image files are bitmap files, essentially, when compared to vector graphics files. As discussed last month, this means that they are made up of dots, rather than geometry. They have more detail and colour depth, but they can be trickier to work with.

Anyway, back to JPEG files. What makes these files to versatile is that they can be compressed. The method used in this compression involves discarding ‘unnecessary’

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information. The lower the compression, the bigger the file. This is because lower compression records greater amounts of colour information… in other words, more information is recorded for smaller areas. As the compression is increased, colour areas are ‘grouped’, requiring less data. However, at very high compression ratings, this can result in a loss of colour depth and quality, so judicial use of compression is advised. Oh, and keep in mind that, when saving a JPEG, the higher the compression number, the lower the compression. A file saved at a rating of 12 will be less compressed (and therefore bigger in terms of data) than a file saved at, say, 6. Repeated usage of JPEG files may result in degradation, which is another reason why it is good to keep those digital ‘negatives’.

JPEG files use full colour spectrums, either in RGB or CMYK standards. RGB is best for illuminated display, like screens and monitors, while CMYK is best for printed material. Either way, that’s the colour palette that the JPEG will use.

Another Image format you may come across is the TIFF format. It is a versatile format, good for saving large, high resolution images. However, where the JPEG is a universal image format, there are several different kinds of TIFF files… and not all TIFF readers support all TIFF formats. Another plus point for using JPEGs.

BMP files are also an option, however, they tend to be larger than JPEGs and are specific to the Microsoft Windows operating system. Another win for JPEG.

Another common format is the GIF. While the above types use full colour pallettes, Gifs are restricted to a 256 colour palette. This makes them much smaller, but also results in colour distortions and ‘posterisation’. They’re great for certain web-based usages, but JPEGs are often better.

There are several other file types that have very specific tasks but, for everyday use, the JPEG is the clear winner. Its versatile compression abilities, wide range of applications and compatibility, and generally high image quality are exactly what a photographer needs.

There is, however, a very notable exception to this recommendation. While almost all digital cameras shoot JPEG images, many also have the ability to shoot images in RAW formats. When we mentioned ‘digital negatives’ before, we were speaking about preserving original images. But with RAW, the term is far more applicable. These really are digital negatives.

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The thinking behind RAW images is that the photographer has a wider range of image options when using them. Data that is often ‘locked’ into a JPEG image can still be altered in a RAW photograph. Elements like exposure, white balance, noise and tone can be adjusted in a RAW file. Additionally, images can even be increased in size, without massive amounts of quality deterioration. The versatility that RAW images provide the serious photographer with is close on heavenly… even images that didn’t come out quite right can be tweaked and modified.

There are a few downsides to working with RAW images, though. There is no standard RAW format. Rather, RAW refers to a family of file formats used by camera manufacturers. A camera capable of shooting RAW images will be accompanied by software that can read the specific format used by that manufacturer, but RAW images from another manufacturer may not be accessible.

Also, because they contain more data, RAW images are (out of necessity) much larger than JPEG files. It really is a case of trading space for versatility. This also means that you can take less images with your camera, because the RAW files (which are typically two to six times larger than a JPEG) will chew up the space on your memory card more quickly.

Thirdly, RAW images take more time to work with. This is because they need to be ‘processed’. The images are not print ready, essentially, and even if you would just want to store it digitally as a JPEG, you would still need to open it in a RAW format reader and convert it.

A serious photographer who really wants to get the most out of their photo-editing will find the RAW file formats to be a dream. They may take up more space and time, but the end results are far superior to working with JPEGs and the like. They will also allow the user to experiment to their heart’s content, without fear of losing the original image. Changes are exported as JPEG files, leaving the original RAW image intact. And experimentation is a good idea, because there is so much that one can achieve by tweaking and playing with a RAW image.

However, not everyone wants to spend tons of time on working with their images. For those people, JPEGs are the best bet.

Whatever your choice, remember that a good system of back-ups and careful preservation of images will ensure that the little moments in time you capture with your photography will be safely preserved forever. And that’s part of what photography is all about. g

g l a dg e t r ev i ew • i s s u e 13 • N ovembe r 2011

MSI Radeon R6990 VGA CardBig power, bir price

Samsung Q10 Video CameraA real handful!

BlackBerry PlaybookExpand your phone

Logitech G330 Gaming HeadsetSuper-sound

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We have quite a variety of things for you to look at this month, ranging from high end graphics cards through to a beanbag. Wait, what?

Yes, that’s right. We have reviewed a beanbag. Not just any beanbag, mind you but a top notch international brand that will be making an appearance on our shores soon.

But why? Well, because we think it is the perfect furniture complement to oh so many entertainment activities. We kind-of view it as an entertainment peripheral. It makes sense to us... and if you try one,it will make sense to you too! g

Highlights

Distributed Exclusively by Apex Interactive Tel: (011) 796 5040 www.apexint.co.za Email: [email protected]

All rights and trademarks and logos are copyright of their respective owners.

www.apexactive.co.za

Big All AroundA monster in terms of size and performance

by Walt Pretorius

g l a dg e t h a rdwa r e • i s s u e 13 • N ovembe r 201122

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While we are always happy to see a good bargain, we do admit that with great power comes a big price tag. This is particularly

true of graphics cards. There are a lot of affordable options on the market, sure, but if you really want a performance monster – most likely for your gaming – you’re going to have to save up those pennies and dig deep into your pockets.

If that’s what you’re after and you like your graphics cards to be Radeon flavoured, MSI have a great solution. Powered by a Radeon HD 6000 chipset, the R6990 offers a massive amount of processing power for all your graphics requirements. This is supported by a huge 4GB of GDDR5 memory which, when combined with the powerful processor, delivers silky smooth frame rates at even the highest detail settings. And its support for SLi and Crossfire modes makes the whole thing even more powerful, if you’re willing to double up on the expense.

Spending the more than R8 000 that this card will set you back may seem like a heavy cost (and it is) but the quality of this card is well worth it. In fact, the price is pretty good when compared to similar devices. In addition, MSI have built their usual quality into it, ensuring a much longer life span – they claim 12 years under gaming strain, and 40 years normal usage. We’ll have to take their word for it.

The card is really big, both in terms of capacity and actual physical size. It’s not the bulkiest graphics card we have seen, but it certainly is up there. A single fan provides cooling to the components, which are all housed in a solid case with generous venting.

Solid capacitors help keep the card running cool, as well as extending its lifespan and minimising the chances of catastrophic occurrences, like explosions.

Naturally, the card comes with a whole host of extras, like MSI’s Afterburner overclocking software, for easy and safe overclocking. Additionally, the card supports up

g l a dg e t h a rdwa r e • i s s u e 13 • N ovembe r 2011 23

AT A GLANCE:

Manufacturer: MSIDistributor: Pinnacle AfricaOnline: www.pinnacleafrica.co.zaRRP: R8199

PROS:• Awesome performance• Runs cool• Impressive spec

CONS:• Expensive• Bulky

It’s expensive, but the performance this card gives is worth every cent!

TECH SPECS:• Radeon HD 6000 chipset• 4GB GDDR5• Solid capacitors• 1 x DVI port• 4 x Displayport

96Score

to five displays using AMD’s Eyefinity system; four via Displayport, and one via DVI. 3D support, Blu-Ray support and more round off the bundle.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. It is an expensive piece of hardware. But the power and performance is undeniable – we had a great time seeing what it could do. Additionally, the single fan, which uses optimised fan speed control, runs surprisingly quietly, while still keeping the card quite cool. This can be enhanced by optimising the card’s performance for 2D and 3D applications.

If you are willing to spend the cash, you can’t go wrong with this MSI monster. Admittedly, you can compromise if you want to save a bit of money, but the price for this device most certainly is right, even if it is high. If compromise is not an option, and you want value for money, regardless of the actual cost, the MSI R6990 is highly recommended. Power users will not be disappointed. g

Simple and EffectiveA video camera that’s a handful…

by Rob Edwards


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These days, with all the consolidation of devices that is going on, it is almost a rare sight for people to use specific devices built for certain

purposes. Take recording video as an example: you are probably more likely to see someone using a cell phone or even a still image camera to take video than you are to see someone using a ‘dedicated’ video camera. But the old adage of using the right tool for the job still holds true, and arguments can be made that devices created for specific purposes will do a better job than ‘jack-of-all-trades’ gadgets.

If you are prone to make, or use, that argument, then a video camera is an essential tool in creating videos – as opposed to your trusty cell phone handset. And, if you’re looking for a good, compact video camera, looking no further than the Samsung Compact Full HD Memory Camera is probably what you’ll want to do.

It isn’t exactly compact, but it’s small enough to fit comfortably in the user’s hand, with an internal gyro

making ambidextrous use not only possible, but even simple. In fact, simplicity is the name of the game here. The device has minimal controls built into the housing. Flip the viewfinder open, and it powers up. The user will have to open the lens cap manually, which is a bit of a design oversight. Beyond that, it has three controls; a record button, a zoom control and a ‘home’ button set into the viewfinder, next to the screen.

Hitting the home button brings up a host of other options for the user, all controlled via the touch sensitive LCD screen. From varied settings and tweaks through to special effects and even ‘movie style’ modifiers (which will preset the camera to apply a Noir, Western or numerous other ‘feels’ to the final video) the user has tons to play and experiment with here.

Despite its fairly small size, the Compact Full HD Memory Camcorder packs a fair punch. Versatility is increased by the fact that the viewfinder can be flipped around to face forward, and the Schneider Kreuznach


AT A GLANCE:

Manufacturer: SamsungDistributor: SamsungOnline: www.samsung.co.zaRRP: R2399

PROS:• Small• Easy to use• Nice price

CONS:• Lens cap not automatic

A compact and easy-to-use video camera.

TECH SPECS:• Full HD• SD Card compatible• Preset modes• 20x zoom

80Score

lens delivers clear video across a wide variety of lighting conditions. Full HD video is captured by a good quality BSI CMOS sensor, and 20x zoom – of which 10x is optical and 10x is digital – allows for a decent amount of “getting in close”.

The camera saves all recorded video on an SD card, which can get chewed up pretty quickly when used with full HD video quality.

The battery delivers a fair life as well, but there is no reason to not carry spare memory cards and batteries for this device, particularly if you’re going to be doing a lot of filming, or are going to be far from power sources and downloading opportunities.

If you like keeping your video camera a separate device, this one is extremely handy and versatile, not to mention very easy to use.

It’s added features give it that little bit of extra oomph to compete against consolidated devices, too. It’s a good tool for the job. g

Bigger BlackBerry?Only by 7”

by Brian Murdoch


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ook

The choice of tablet is a personal one, but Blackberry users have many reasons to consider the Blackberry Playbook.

I don’t like touch screens or movable parts on my phones. Tablets all have this issue for me but the PlayBook seemed to get less dirty than the others. This could be because of the smaller size or great pen I use. The rubber-tipped stylus pen is a must if you, like me, want to keep your screen crisp and clear. You will use your fingers for some things like Dead Space where you need to navigate and shoot, but the pen will extend the device’s life.

Software is a topic that we have to talk about; the iStore might have billions of apps, but how many of those are available to us in South Africa? The BlackBerry AppWorld is not region-locked, it shows you the application price in Rands and RIM are going to great lengths to have 3rd parties develop great application for the PlayBook.

The PlayBook just does it… from a business side it can be used without buying or downloading a single application. Out of the box Word, Excel and PowerPoint are already installed. The PowerPoint is view only but being able to edit my excel sheets on the fly is great! Open a PDF from an email with no license agreement. Play almost any video and music file right out of the box. There is even a mini HDMI port to push this out to an HDMI source.

There are also lots of cheap and free games to kill time on the train or in a queue, or even entertain the children in the car. Sure, this is available for most tablets, but the PlayBook’s Flash support gives it an added bit of ‘nice’.

AppWorld cannot be downloaded though BIS and will require a Wi-Fi connection, but who does not have access to some connection somewhere nowadays? This might have been done to save the service providers a little. There is some trouble for RIM overseas and but this is more good news for us in South Africa because the price


AT A GLANCE:

Manufacturer: RIMDistributor: RIMOnline: www.blackberry.comRRP: R5000 (16GB) R7000 (32GB)

PROS:• Size• Out-the-box features• Integration

CONS:• No 3G card slot• Battery life could be better

Tablets may be a taste driven thing, but the PlayBook is the best choice for Blackberry users.

TECH SPECS:• 7-inch display• 1GHz CPU• 1GB RAM• 3 megapixel front- facing camera • 5 megapixel rear camera• microUSB jack• WiFi

88Score

of your PlayBook will be a little less. During the recent two days of BlackBerry silence the PlayBook work just fine… there is more to it than BBMs.

For those that have a BlackBerry phone, there is no sense to go with another tablet as the integrating features just make your phone even more useful. Leaving the integration with native features, the PlayBook can tether with other phones and use there 3G to connect and download apps and data.

Size is not an issue because the PlayBook is small enough to fit into your coat pocket, and I don’t have to play a movie for everyone on the train.

The tablet that you use at work, to organizing events, traveling or even just to play needs to fit in with you and I feel the PlayBook has enough of everything, and a bright future.

This review was written completely on the PlayBook while listening to music riding on the Guatrain, by the way... g

Tunes on the GoTake it all with you

by Walt Pretorius


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laye

r

I used to work with a guy who was, quite possibly, the most impressive humanity repository of musical knowledge in existence. This guy knew his music

backwards (probably literally) across all genres, time and all that kind of stuff. It was really impressive.

What was also impressive was his collection of iPods. See, he really loved music, and hated not being able to carry a whole bunch of it with him, because he never knew where the whims of his listening would take him. So he carried a number of iPods, each crammed with music. True story.

But it goes far to illustrate the major problem that this popular device brings with it – limited capacity. Had this guy I knew not been sucked into the iPod hype, he would have had a much more convenient – and cheaper – time of things. And, quite frankly, it is hype, folks. The iPod is a great music player, true, but there are others that are just as good. They just don’t have an Apple

logo on them… Take the SanDisk Sansa Clip+ MP3 Player, for example.

It is manufactured by a trusted name (particularly when it comes to memory and memory related products) and it offers the one thing that the iPod cannot – expandable memory. The Clip+ comes with 4GB of internal memory to start off with, which will allow for a fair amount of music to be loaded on. But it also supports MicroSD and MicroSDHC cards, which means that the user is going to be able to carry as much music as they like – thanks to the small cards – at a fraction of the cost that my friend paid to have a lot of tunes on the go.

The Sansa Clip+ plays MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis and FLAC files, and also provides the user with access to FM radio. Added to that is the extra functionality provided by an integrated voice recorder.

And all of this comes in a package that is a little smaller that is a bit smaller than a match box. Armed with a


AT A GLANCE:

Manufacturer: SandiskDistributor: Tudor TechOnline: www.sandisk.comRRP: R510

PROS:• Small• Nice controls• Expandable memory

CONS:• Earphones

A great MP3 for people who aren’t brand slaves…

TECH SPECS:• Expandable memory• Multiple format support• FM radio• Voice recorder• 15 hour battery life

82Score

rechargeable battery that will give around 15 hours of performance, the Sansa Clip+ is small and really easy to cart about. In addition it is very easy to use, with uncomplicated controls allowing the user quick and easy access to the music stored on the unit and memory cards.

The device is lightweight, yet is very ruggedly constructed. It is made out of a strong plastic, and is stylishly designed, while not resorting to overly flashy looks. On the back, a steel-sprung clip will ensure that it stays where you put it (like hooked to a belt).

The only real downside is that the headphones could have been a little better. They’re not bad, mind you, but they certainly aren’t top of the line, either. Still. For the price, the Sansa Clip+ is a good alternative to overpriced name brand devices. It delivers great sound (if you experiment with a few headphones) and allows ease of use and versatility that is extremely valuable. This is, in short, a great MP3 player. g

Choirs of AngelsYes, they are that awesome!

by Alex Scanlon


Logi

tech

G33

0 G

amin

g H

eads

et

Any gamer will tell you that a good set of headphones is more than just a convenience… it is a necessity. Whether to keep gaming into

the wee hours without keeping the household awake, or simply just to ensure immersive sound, headphones serve a variety of useful purposes.

Logitech offer a variety of options for gamers who want to keep their sound personal, ranging from really small units through too massive wireless multi-input headphones. Somewhere in the middle you will find the G330 Gaming Headset, a relatively small set of headphones that are none the-less-huge on sound.

The G330s look pretty impressive, too. They make use of a behind-the-head configuration,

which many people prefer to the often bulkier ‘over-the-top’ headphone rail style. The rail is covered in a durable, semi-rubberised coating, to improve comfort. And, here’s a thing… it’s adjustable. That’s something you don’t see too often. Admittedly, you’ll need a pretty big head to have to make adjustments, but it’s a nice

option. It also results in the only real hassle we have with this otherwise fantastic headset: if you’re not careful, the adjustable portion can pull your hair. No catastrophe, but a single strand of hair being tugged can be an eye-watering affair.

The actual earphones are fairly large and are extremely comfortable. They are covered with a tough black sponge, and contoured for maximum comfort and air-flow. On the left one, a boom microphone can be swung into place to allow for voice chat. It can also be adjusted for optimal positioning.

The sound quality that the G330s deliver is sublime, to say the least. Excellent bass response mingles with crisp mids and clear high tones, without a whisper of distortion, even at volume levels that would cause serious ear-damage.

And yes, they get that loud. Lucking an easy-to-reach in-line volume control can be used to keep sound levels at acceptable levels, like ‘ear-bleeding’ instead of ‘skull-shattering’. A mute button will also save you from


AT A GLANCE:

Manufacturer: LogitechDistributor: LogitechOnline: www.logitech.comRRP: R550

PROS:• Incredible sound• Comfortable• Good and loud

CONS:• Pricey• Can pinch

They might look small, but the performance from these babies is pitch-perfect!

TECH SPECS:• Behind-the-head design• Adjustable• 3.5mm jacks• USB adapter• In-line volume control• Noise-cancelling mic

97Score

having to watch all those embarrassing expletives being transmitted via the microphone.

The standard connectors are a pair of 3.5mm jacks – one for the headphones and one for the mic. In the box, though, it a sort of ‘unifying’ adapter. Plugging both of the 3.5mm jacks into one end, the other end can interface with any USB port. It’s a bit of an unnecessary addition, really, but there may be times when USB input is absolutely necessary.

Another little niggle we have – and it’s a small one, really – is that the G330s seem a little expensive. At R550, they aren’t the cheapest around. But, with that said, anyone who samples their performance will be sold. They are worth every bit of that cost, and more.

Sure, they’re only stereo, but that really is enough, isn’t it? That’s doubly the case if you’re going to be using these superb headphones for more than just gaming – they perform just as well with music, watching movies or anything else you might need a decent set of discreet yet powerful headphones for. g

Big BoyA great toy for media junkies…

by Rob Edwards


Egre

at R

200-

II M

edia

Pla

yer

Media players are becoming more and more popular these days, so it’s no surprise that we are seeing more and more players enter the

market. Whether they’ve been around for a while or not, the local market is starting to see a large number of media player options arrive.

One such option is the Egreat R200-II HD Network Media Player. One of the first things this product teaches us is to not judge a book by its cover.

See, the Egreat’s packaging has some of the most hilarious ‘Ingrish’ typos and language mistakes we’ve come across in a long time. But even though the box says things like ‘strength 45 buttons remote control, comfortable feel and support far valid distance’ (we kid you not) doesn’t mean that we should assume the makers of this device have technical skills similar to their English abilities. In fact, the R200-II is one of the better media players we’ve come across.

First of all, it offers all kinds of connectivity. WiFi,

LAN, USB, SATA and e-Bus are all options here, meaning that it will integrate easily into virtually any home network. Outputs come in the form of component, coaxial, HMDI and optical audio, which pretty much takes care of all the options.

What’s more, a hard drive bay, which holds a 3.5” SATA drive, is also available, for those that want to expand their collection and ensure that the R200-II has some form of internal storage.

It’s a pretty big device, thanks to that drive bay, but it looks stylish enough to fit almost any setup. It runs quietly and reliably, with decent response times, even when streaming content wirelessly (although individual setups may perform differently in this case.) The all-aluminium housing helps keep the unit cool and prevents against damage, which is always a good thing, and a discrete front panel displays just enough to let you know what the device is up to.

Armed with a full function remote control, the R200-II


AT A GLANCE:

Manufacturer: EgreatDistributor: Pinnacle AfricaOnline: www.pinnacle.co.zaRRP: R1659

PROS:• Lots of options• Performs well• Solid construction

CONS:• Perhaps overkill for more casual users

A great option for serious media users.

TECH SPECS:• Full HD• Dolby audio• Drive bay• Component out• HDMI out• Optical audio out

88Score

supports full HD and delivers sound in Dolby stereo. 7.1 audio is also possible if you use the optical audio solution it provides.

With numerous files supported, this device becomes the perfect hub between PC systems and TVs, and makes use of 256mb of DDR2 flash Ram to help smoothen out streaming, which is a bit of a plus if your wireless network encounters any interference. Of course, there is also the wired LAN option to consider.

The big Egreat looks like a serious media player, and it is… this one is intended for those who are going to go the whole hog, and not just for folks who are looking for a quick and convenient way to run PC files on a TV.

So, if you’re serious about your media delivery and are going to take the time to trim your setup – and possibly fuss and fiddle with every single little detail – it offers an excellent solution. If you’re going to be more casual, the unit’s price and capabilities may fall into the realms of ‘overkill’. g

Upper EndYet another Xperia

by Walt Pretorius

Sony

Eri

csso

n X

peri

a A

rc


And still with the new smartphones… it seems that there is a new one on-shelf every few minutes these days. It’s understandable…

these devices have become integral to our everyday lives, and most certainly to the way we communicate.

The thing is that choices become so difficult when picking one of these devices for personal use. It really comes down to choosing operating system. If you’re after Android, Google’s popular OS, then Sony Ericsson has a wide range of choice in the form of the Xperia phones. Once again, the lines sometimes blur here, as there are a fair number of Xperia handsets on the market. And the majority of them look pretty much the same…

The Arc offers the end user all the expected functionality of a smart phone, including access to social networks and a host of other functions. The clear 4.2 inch screen allows easy use, while the 8.1 megapixel camera also serves to allow full HD video recording. An HDMI port is a nice bonus feature, as well as WiFi access.

If you are after an Xperia, then the Arc is a great

choice. It features stylish looks and good functionality – things that are required by the modern smart phone user.g

AT A GLANCE:

Manufacturer: Sony EricssonDistributor: Sony EricssonOnline: www.onyericsson.comRRP: R5299

PROS:• Looks good• Big screen• Good functionality

CONS:• Doesn’t stand out from the crowd

It’s a great handset, but it is art of a massive crowd…

TECH SPECS:• 4.2” screen• 8 megapixel camera• Video recording• Android OS

79Score

The Right Tool…No kitchen sink here!

by Alex Scanlon


Epso

n St

ylus

Offi

ce B

42W

D P

rint

er

A good printer is necessary in many situations. Whether you’re in an office environment, or you want to run off some photo prints at home,

having a great printer can make all the difference.These days, though, the term ‘good printer’ implies

a device that does virtually everything but make you a cup of coffee, served with freshly baked croissants. Those multifunctional devices don’t work for everyone, though… sometimes you need your printer to be a printer, and scanning, copying, faxing and all those other functions are redundant.

Well, the good news is that such a printer exists, and it is just a printer. And, the better news is that because all the other, possibly extraneous, functions have been stripped away, the price tag is really rather reasonable.

The Epson Stylus Office B42WD will meet all your printer needs, provided that they are just printing.

Not, of course, that a stripping away of all the extras means a worse quality device. Far from it, in fact. The B42WD prints beautifully, using a sensible four cartridge system that saves money by only needing the required ink cartridges to be replaced, rather than throwing away a composite cartridge that might still have some use purely because one colour has run out. And considering that Epson aren’t the cheapest when it comes to ink cartridges, this is a great idea.

The network-ready B42WD is a great choice for small offices. It can connect to either a wireless or wired network, and performs at a high speed. Additionally, it allows for double sided printing, which saves further costs and is tree-friendly. At around 38 pages per minute, it’s fairly quick, and doesn’t kick up a hell of a racket while it works.

Further costs have been cut by leaving out the fancy


AT A GLANCE:

Manufacturer: EpsonDistributor: EpsonOnline: www.epson.comRRP: R999

PROS:• Good print quality• Multiple cartridges

CONS:• Paper tray• Cartridge costs

It’s a good printer, if a printer is all that you need.

TECH SPECS:• Four cartridge system• Double sided printing• Network ready• 38 ppm• WiFi

79Score

LCD display and other things not really needed by a printer that is just a printer. The device is also fairly compact, although there are smaller options on the market. But, at a sub-R1 000 price point, you can make a little space for it.

Aside from the ink process, we also didn’t like the paper tray too much. It seems that Epson need to toughen their trays up in general, but this is not a train smash. You’ll need to work with it carefully, but you won’t need to be overly gentle, either. Just watch what you’re doing, and you’ll be fine!

On the whole, the B42WD is a good option. It might not have a lot of the functions of bigger printers, but if you don’t need them, you’ll be able to save some money with this one. And the print quality is comparable to any other printer, so there’s no problem there. If this is the kind of tool you need, it’s a great option. g

SimplicityAn uncomplicated photographic option

by Walt Pretorius


Sam

sung

SH

100

Cam

era

It’s fun to spend time planning a photograph and getting all those set-ups and options tweaked just right. But sometimes – many times, in fact – the

luxury to be able to do that just doesn’t exist. Some scenes require fast action, some models won’t sit still and some photographs need to be captured quickly.

Samsung understand this idea, and they have built a whole bunch of really fast functionality into their SH100 pocket camera. Now Samsung aren’t necessarily a name one would associate with photography, but their cameras are actually really rather nifty, right across their extensive range. The SH100 takes up position further away from the enthusiast side of things, and closer to the consumer end of the scale. This means that it is easy to use, quick, versatile and devoid of complication.

This also means that a number of the settings a photographer might want to find on a camera are missing. But this device isn’t about carefully trimming apertures and shutter speeds. It’s more about getting to

take photos quickly and easily.At 14.2 megapixels, the images that the SH100 delivers

are pretty chunky. The 5x zoom feels a little weak when compared to other cameras in its class, though. But where this camera – small as it is – is really big is in terms of built-in features and functions. From a host of filters that can be applied to photographs through to a simple photo-editor on-board, this camera is a ‘social journalist’s’ dream. It even allows for direct uploading to Facebook, thanks to built-in Wi-Fi compatibility.

In addition, it allows media sharing and a number of other very handy functions, and shoots video too – although not in full HD.

The controls on this device are, at first glance, extremely simple. A power and shutter button (with zoom controls) are mounted at the top, and a playback and ‘home’ button (to access menus) are on the back, alongside the large LCD screen. Everything else… well, after you hit the home button, the LCD screen functions as a touch screen


AT A GLANCE:

Manufacturer: SamsungDistributor: SamsungOnline: www.samsung.co.zaRRP: R2099

PROS:• Simple• Small• Large images

CONS:• Not much manual control

A small, powerful camera perfect for those who don’t take their photography too seriously.

TECH SPECS:• 14.2 megapixels• WiFi compatible• 5x zoom• Touch screen• MicroSD

82Score

control panel, where all the camera’s functions can be accessed. The controls feel a little sluggish every now and then, but for the most part it works well.

With good image quality and lots of options, the SH100 is fun to use, and produces great results. It doesn’t feel like a serious camera, though… this is fine if that suits your photography, but some may not like it’s playful approach. Thankfully this doesn’t extend into its construction – the SH100 is solidly built, and the lens is safely housed when the unit is turned off.

The SH100 goes a long way to show clever product innovation, coupled with integration into aspects that are very important in peoples’ day-to-day lives. The Facebook function, for example, is something I know a lot of people would be excited about. It almost bridges the gap between camera and communicator from the opposite direction to those lamentable cameras build into cell phones.

Overall, it’s a good bet for those who want to have fun with their photography, without getting overly serious. g

Great 3D… and ‘powerless’ glasses! by Rob Edwards

LG 4

7LW

6510

Cin

ema

3D S

mar

t TV


These days, buying the right TV can be as tricky as buying the right cellular telephone handset. There are many brands and many models within

those brands. But there are certain things you can definitely look out for, depending on your needs. Size, first of all, is an important consideration. The right dimensions for your TV can make all the difference – too small, or too big, and the experience is lessened.

Then there is the question of what kind of TV. In our opinion, you’re looking for LED, because of the great picture quality, great colour reproduction and excellent dark tones. It is, in our mind, a no-brainer.

The big question, really, is whether you want a TV capable of 3D or not. If you are after such a device, you’re looking at adding quite a bit to the price you’re going to pay, not to mention the added costs of expensive, powered 3D glasses… so that the whole family can enjoy the experience.

LG have something of a solution to that. Using their Cinema 3D technology, they can cut some of the costs. The TV still will set you back quite a bit, but this technology means that the TV can be used with glasses that do not require power, cutting that cost significantly at least. The 47LW6510 Cinema 3D Smart TV allows for that, and includes all the bells and whistles one would expect from a modern TV… multiple inputs, internet connectivity and a whole lot more. It is even

ready for LG’s motion controlled remote (although this is, admittedly, still a gimmick in our eyes.)

So if you’re willing to spend around R22 000 on a TV, this 47 inch beauty is an excellent option. Awesome picture quality, versatility, good 3D and generally excellent performance. g

AT A GLANCE:

Manufacturer: LGDistributor: LGOnline: www.lg.co.zaRRP: R21 999

PROS:• Great glasses• Awesome picture quality

CONS:• Costly

A fantastic 47” TV, supported by 3D glasses that don’t need to be powered!

TECH SPECS:• 3D• LED panel• Flicker free• Lightweight glasses• 180 degree viewing angle• 47” screen

90Score

If you’re looking for a leaner media player solution – and if something like the Egreat R200-II is a bit above where you’re aiming – the same

manufacturer produces a stripped down, smaller device that delivers much the same in terms of capability. The Egreat R6A-II is a compact media player that will take care of most of your media player needs quite nicely.

Unlike its bigger brother, the R6A-II does not offer the opportunity to install a hard drive; everything you do via this device will have to be either via a wired LAN network, or via its two USB ports and eSATA port. In other words, it’s great for external hard drives and media saved on a network. Because it only offers RCA outputs, as opposed to component outputs, those that want to take advantage of its full HD performance will have to make use of HMDI, which isn’t a real problem.

It allows for optical audio output as well, or the user can make use of its Dobly stereo functions.

The R6A-II is a good option if you’re not using a wireless network, and want a media player to be a component of your home entertainment, rather than a central hub. It comes as a good price, but lacks many of the extra features that make the R200-II great. g

SlimmerSmaller and less capable

by Alex Scanlon

Egreat R6A-II M

edia Player


AT A GLANCE:

Manufacturer: EgreatDistributor: Pinnacle AfricaOnline: www.pinnacle.co.zaRRP: R799

PROS:• Simpler• Compact

CONS:• Few output options• No on board memory options

A smaller, easier to use media player option, but with less versatility

TECH SPECS:• Full HD• USB ports• eSATA port• HDMI out• Optical audio out

77Score

EargasmSurround sound without the blood

by Brian Murdoch


Tritt

on A

X 7

20

I couldn’t imagine life without ears but now that I have these headsets I can’t imagine life without them and 3D sound. Dolby Digital surround sound

7.1 is not available on DVD and you have to really look for the Blu-rays that have it. These headphones don’t accept anything of a low quality… well, they do, but it just feels wrong.

The Tritton AX 720 headset is a gamers dream! They bring out the effort that creators of games and movies actually put into making surround sound, which most people don’t even appreciate. So what makes these different from other headphone or other surround sound headphones?

They connect to your Xbox or PlayStation3’s microphones.

Connection for the Xbox360 is a small cable that plugs into the controller and then into the side volume control of the headphones. The PlayStation3 is a little neater with a printer cable plugging from the audio

router to the USB of the PlayStation. Both game and voice sounds have separate volume controls, to adjust them individually.

To give you an idea of how clear the surround sound is I will share the fail experience that I had when first connecting them. I was figuring out the audio router and connecting the HDMI to video and audio splitter to the headset for my Xbox360. The headset was on my head from the beginning and I sat down on the couch with controller and the TV remote. I changed the channel to the DVI feed and was moving around the menu to try and hear the sounds. I heard the menu’s click, click… but from the TV. I went to the Xbox settings to set them to go via digital audio, just like a PlayStation3 needs to be told which audio output to use.

To my surprise I found out that the Xbox does not need to be set… it just outputs to everything plugged into it. I then did not understand how the TV producing sound because it was a HDMI to DVI cable that does not carry


AT A GLANCE:

Manufacturer: Tritton USADistributor: Comet ComputingOnline: www.cometcomputing.co.zaRRP: R1 999

PROS:• Great quality• Changeable covers• Voice on consoles

CONS:• Only digital audio• Cable

Absolutely fantastic headphones that surround one in great sound…

TECH SPECS:• Independent volume controls• 3D directional audio• Muli-function In- line control• Detachable, flexible mic

94Score

sound. Ping, the headphones are still on.The surround effect made the menu items sound seem

like it was coming from the TV in front of me. I took the headphones off and nothing, back on and the sound came from the TV again... mind-blowing!

The audio router only accepts digital audio so don’t count on your PC or DVD player’s simple audio out giving you the same effects, but any sound card that can produce sound of this quality will have a digital out. There is a connecter cable for the standard 3.5 audio jack if they become the only headphones that touch your ears.

I will believe that too, because when it comes to comfort these are padded correctly. I did a 2.5 hour Gears of War 3 session and then watched the Blu-ray movie of X-Men: First Class and never removed or adjusted the head set, other than maybe a few volume tweaks.

By far the best headset I have used to date, they plug in to every device that makes sound in my life… with no complications. g

Lounging AroundYes, this is essential gaming equipment…

by Alex Scanlon

Sum

o O

mni

Bea

nbag

Cha

ir


Seriously? A beanbag review? You bet! It might seem like a strange thing to put into a magazine that’s all about technology, but there is method

to our madness…See, with many entertainment oriented technological

pursuits, seating is a major consideration. You can’t dominate a video game if you’re not slouched in just the right way. You can’t chill to some splendid tunes if you’re not laid back properly. You can’t watch a movie unless you’re positioned just right.

Well, the Sumo Omni will allow you to do all that, and more. This massive beanbag measures 4.5ft by 5.5ft, but only weighs just over 8 kilograms. It looks like a massive cushion, but the large size and just the right amount of top quality Sumo beads inside means that the user can set it up in a wide variety of very comfortable positions. Quite honestly, the only limitation is your imagination.

The Omni is available in ten colours, too, so if décor is a consideration, you should be well catered for. But you will need to consider space… it’s a big chair!

And for those who insist on some kind of tech in every review, the Omni is made from space age nylon, which is tough, colourfast and easy to maintain.

It’s the perfect video gaming chair, without a doubt…

comfortable, versatile and tough. They haven’t arrived on our shores just yet, but they will be here soon, so keep an eye out for the Omni and other members of the Sumo family. g

AT A GLANCE:

Manufacturer: SumoDistributor: TBCOnline: www.sumolounge.comRRP: TBC

PROS:• Versatile• Tough• Very comfortable

CONS:• Huge• Folks will fight over it

A tough, versatile and stylish piece of video gaming equipment.

TECH SPECS:• 4.5ft x 5.5ft• 8kgs• Space age nylon• 10 colours• 10 (documented) positions

90Score

Perfect Complement…for your 3D LG TV.

by Rob Edwards

LG B

D67

0 3D

Blu

-ray

Pla

yer


So you’ve bought yourself an awesome 3D TV. Good stuff. But you’re going to need a reliable 3D Blu-ray player too, now aren’t you?

It’s always a good idea to match brands, so if you have bought the LG TV we reviewed a few pages back, the LG BD670 3D Blu-ray player is a good option.

It looks a lot like a standard LG Blu-ray player, when all is said and done, and has all of the features that one would find on a ‘normal’ device of this type. It is even WiFi enabled, so that you can stream content from your wireless network to the device.

On the downside, it does have a rather long loading time when sticking a disc into it. It also lacks on-board memory, so those that want to make use of BD-Live functions may well look elsewhere. But the image quality – particularly in 3D – makes up for it. This device is an excellent complement to any LG 3D TV… or any 3D TV, for that matter.

It is simple to use, easy to set up, and does its job beautifully. g

AT A GLANCE:

Manufacturer: LGDistributor: LGOnline: www.lg.comRRP: R1 800

PROS:• WiFi• Good image quality

CONS:• Lacks some essential features• Slow

It isn’t the fastest player around, but the Wifi and other features are excellent.

TECH SPECS:• 3D Blu-ray• WiFi• Internet connectivity• Media streaming

79Score

Sometimes convenience can be a double edged sword, of sorts. In making something convenient by simplifying it, certain aspects that added

to the convenience might be left out. That’s what happened when Logitech created the Z110 Stereo Speaker system.

These two wired speakers are fairly large, although still portable. They are USB powered, which cuts out the need for extra power adapters, and also feature a 3.5mm jack input (although we’re not sure why – they could have been run entirely off of USB.) They also have an integrated cable management system, to keep things a bit neater.

All of this is great, and when combined with the generally good sound that they deliver, makes for a great option for those wanting speakers for their PC or laptop. The USB power does mean that they are restricted to a device that has a USB port, but that’s still OK.

What we would have liked – what would have made them even more convenient – is some kind of volume control. As they stand, the volume is controlled by the system they are connected to. It’s not a huge thing, but it does make things a little less convenient than we

would have liked. We’re lazy… we want everything to be super easy.

Still, as a portable stereo speaker system, the Z110s do their job extremely well. g

Sound AboutPortable and powerful

by Walt Pretorius

Logitech Z110 Stereo Speakers


AT A GLANCE:

Manufacturer: LogitechDistributor: LogitechOnline: www.logitech.comRRP: R240

PROS:• Good sound• Easy set-up

CONS:• No volume control

Although they have no dedicated volume control, they’re still a great set of portable speakers.

TECH SPECS:• USB powered• 3.5mm jack• Cable management system• Stereo

85Score

Here’s a fun fact about winemaking: after they’ve fermented the grapes and put them in bottles, they don’t just hide them in a cellar and get

popular by age alone. It’s a fine-tuning process. The freshly bottled wine gets put on a rack and the bottle turned a little each day. This is a process known as riddling and its purpose is to help natural sediment settle in the bottle, so that you don’t end up with any of it in your glass.

So don’t just think that the big names stash a bottle for 15 years and sell it on reputation alone. There’s hard work that goes into this. And the same goes in game development. For a long time racing fans knew Gran Turismo as the racing simulator of choice. But last year’s GT5 left a bad taste in people’s mouths. Even die-hard

PlayStation and GT fanboys have to admit they got a mouthful of sediment when trying to swallow Polyphony’s botched wine.

Turn 10 Studios, on the other hand, has been consistent with its releases. Forza 2 hit shelves in 2007, 3 was released in 2009, and now in 2011 we have Forza Motorsport 4. Even while taking to heart the requests of fans, the developers haven’t let any of that interfere with the ageing process. They’re slowly turning the bottle and letting the sediment settle, and with this fourth installment we’ve got a game that is not just good in its own right, but is also a world class entertainment experience.

Initial reports have labelled FM4 as nothing more than a content pack for the third game. It’s easy to be this negative when you’re being unnecessarily cynical and

g amec c a r ev i ew • i s s u e 17 • N ovembe r 2010gamec c a r ev i ew • i s s u e 29 • N ovembe r 201150

The best just got better.by Christo van Gemert

Forz

a M

otor

spor

t 4

Petrolhead Heaven

g l a dg e t v i d e o g ame • i s s u e 13 • N ovembe r 201150

break things down into their core components. Yes, Forza Motorsport 4 has a few more cars (just over 500, to Forza 3’s 400) and some new tracks. If that’s all you want to see it as – a numbers game – then you’re kind of missing the point. After all, are you going to drive all 500 cars? Or 1000 cars? Or 5000 cars? More isn’t better; it’s just a marketing gimmick. And Turn 10 mentioned, during the development of FM4, that it takes a full 12 months to create a track, so the fact that they’ve managed to give us five new racetracks in two years is pretty respectable. That said, FM4 is missing some very important historic tracks that are now available in competing games, so hopefully these are next on the to-do list.

So while you may think the programmers, artists, sound engineers and designers have been resting on their laurels,

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it doesn’t take more than an hour with Forza 4 to see why that’s wrong. First up there’s the new lighting model. Previous Forza titles looked good, with crisp graphics and great car models, but things are now, quite literally, a lot shinier. That’s thanks to something called image-based lighting, which lets the reflections on cars actually mirror the environment. This is more than just reflecting the environment: it’s actually taking the lighting from the surroundings and casting that onto the cars. For instance, the snow on the new Alps track gives off a brighter, and different kind of light than the overhead lights in a tunnel. End result: there are some startlingly realistic-looking scenes in FM4. Gran Turismo 5 still has the edge here, but only just.

The next improvement is one that’ll be really appreciated

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by people who know cars. This reviewer does, so take it from him that the sound in FM4 is amazingly detailed, deep, and realistic. You hear the whine of gearboxes, the chittering of a turbo blow-off valve, the mechanical wailing of a supercharger, and more. Run-of-the-mill cars are pretty plain, but still have unique characters. As soon as you get into a performance car, you’ll notice little things like exhaust pops and bangs when you’re off throttle. These get louder and more frequent once you start fitting performance parts – just like in real life. One of jaw dropping, “wow, this is good” moments came when taking a relaxed cruise on the Fujimi Kaido mountain track. Along the edges of the asphalt you’ll find dirt and leaves. Drive over that, and you hear the stones hitting up against the

wheel arches of the car. The guy who did sound design for this game needs a Nobel prize or something.

Turn 10 partnered up with tyre maker Pirelli to get real life data on how different rubber compounds behave under different conditions. Forza has always incorporated tyre temperature and pressure as dynamic variables, and tyre deformation was added in Forza 3. These things have now been fine-tuned, and combined with the new Pirelli data the game is completely different. Where Forza 3 felt like an authentic game, this feels real. Suspension and steering response have also been fine-tuned. Cars now have bodyroll – muscle cars wallow like boats in most bends, and proper LMP racecars are so firm that the entire cockpit jostles as you bomb down the straight at Le


One glaring omission in FM4 is the lack of Porsche cars. The German manufacturer has featured in all three predecessors, but this time around Electronic Arts (who holds the rights to the Porsche license) refused to let Microsoft pay to use it in Forza 4. Rumours are rumours, but there is talk that the contract between EA and Porsche might lapse at the end of 2011, and maybe then – just maybe – we could see a downloadable Porsche content pack.

Poor Porsche

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Mans. If you thought the steering was too forgiving before, the simulation steering mode (even with a controller) will quickly show you up. If a car gets into a drift, be it under or over steer, you’ve gotta use real-world countermeasures to prevent having a tank slapper or hitting the railing.

It looks good, sounds amazing and feels real. To get the taste and smell you’d have to play this in your garage. But it’s not all serious. Forza Motorsport 4 is as real a racing experience as you’ll get on a console – even more realistic than most PC sim fans would expect – but there’s still the accessibility and fun factor. Kinect integration means you can use your hands to steer with a virtual steering wheel, perfect for kids who don’t really know about cars. The Kinect also gives you head tracking, helping you look

into corners. Players who like cars, but aren’t professional drivers, can turn on all the assists. These keep you on the track, and you can even rewind the race to correct earlier mistakes. Hardcore players can turn off every single assist for the purest experience.

Top Gear partnered up to give its famous Top Gear Test Track to the game, along with a fantastically ridiculous and fun “car soccer” game mode. The show’s inimitable host, Jeremy Clarkson, also provides voiceovers for the cars in the Autovista mode – Forza’s equivalent of an interactive car encycloppedia.

And just like Top Gear, Forza 4 has something that’ll appeal to everybody, whether they driver a Toyota or a Ferrari. g

Accessibility

PrejudiceDrug UseSexLanguageViolence

3+Parental Advisory

Casual

Hard-CoreMedium 96

Score

Accessible to everybody, yet still perfect for enthusiasts.

Developer: Turn 10 StudiosPublisher: MicrosoftDistributor: Microsoft

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After the events that took place in Arkham Asylum and Blackwater Prison, the Gotham City authorities move all the inmates of those

facilities to a new one: the newly created Arkham City prison, a massive, walled-off complex in the heart of Gotham. Under the stewardship of Dr Hugo Strange, this new penitentiary houses all of Gotham City’s most dangerous villains…

It is to this sprawling complex that Batman travels in Batman: Arkham City, the sequel to the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham Asylum. There, he must use his detective skills, stealth abilities and arsenal of gadgets to find out what exactly is going on inside.

What we have here is literally a reworking of the previous title, with developers Rocksteady having taken on an ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ approach. Rather, they

opted for tweaking and expanding on Arkham Asylum. The end result is a sprawling game that offers the player tons to do and see, lots of enemies to outwit and beat up, and a massive cast of the Bat’s meanest opponents.

It sounds perfect. And, in many ways, it comes close. The levels, for example, are really well put together, intricate in detail and requiring the player to apply a little thought in traversing them. These are tied together by the massive Arkham City itself, which acts as a sort of ‘world hub’ for all the various buildings and levels the player can enter.

Another aspect of the game that is really top notch is the freedom it allows the player in approaching situations. There are, naturally, some instances in which the player will need to do things in a specific way, but more often than not Arkham City will let the player get on with things

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A vast playground to be the Bat in…by Walt Pretorius

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in the way they want to.A third thing that is really cool is that the game will have

the player revisiting areas as new gadgets and techniques become available, to help them get to areas and items that were previously inaccessible. This speaks to the vastness of the title, and to the literal ton of things that it offers the player to do. Aside from the main story, the player will be able to do side quests (which tend to be rather long, drawn-out, multi ‘episode’ affairs that range widely in action and subject matter), find a ton of Riddler collectibles and take on Challenge Rooms, which return tweaked and improved.

All of this stuff designed to keep the player busy is actually almost intimidating. But the player is afforded the freedom to pretty much tackle anything in any order, without any real repercussions. That freedom is nice, and


is a definite improvements over the more guided feel of Arkham Asylum.

The presentation of the game is really top notch, with the environments and characters beautifully captured by the developers. Everything feels run down and decrepit, even the host of villains that Batman faces in the game. The Dark Knight himself gets battered and bruised as the game progresses, too, which is a nice touch.

Speaking of a host of villains… well, we’re not kidding. Virtually every major villain (and even a few minor ones) makes an appearance in Arkham City. The Joker, Penguin, Riddler, Bane, Poison Ivy, Two Face, Mister Freeze and so on and so on. They’re all in there. We get the idea that Arkham City is this massive prison, but really, this is overkill. It’s like a kid showing off his collection of toys. And the end result is that none of these villains ever really

gets fleshed out properly. They’re like soap-opera bit-part characters, rather than bad-ass villains. They’re beautifully animated, wonderfully modelled, and feature great voice acting. They just don’t have any depth. That speaks to the fact that this game was created by Batman fans, and some of the decisions they made in the game design would have been because of this, rather than from a basis of solid game creation.

That makes it sound like Batman: Arkham City is not a good game, but that’s far from the truth. It’s a great game. But it is not perfect. It shows a few chinks in its armour here and there, but thanks to the rabid dedication to the character that fans have, these will easily be overlooked when the coolness of playing as Batman kicks into full swing.

One such chink is the inclusion of Catwoman as a

playable character. There’s nothing wrong with it – she’s a great character, has cool moves and adds to the story. However, she only takes up around 10 per cent of the game… and her inclusion, which was really hyped up, is as DLC, not as disc content. Whether her addition to the story is worth the download (and the 800 Microsoft points she costs, for those that weren’t fortunate enough to get a pass or will be buying the game second hand) is highly debatable. But not for fanboys.

Another little issue arises from time to time in the control scheme. Batman feel stiff every now and then. It’s not often, mind you… the fluid movements, kept simple yet effective, have been improved from the Arkham Asylum days. For the most part, controlling the Dark Knight is great. Just sometimes, it gets frustrating.

The combat, too, is great, because it uses a very simple


AT A GLANCE:

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system to deliver visually impressive fights, pitting Batman against masses of enemies. But, aside from the boss battles (and even sometimes in the boss battles) the whole thing can devolve into a mess of button mashing. Yes, there is a strategy to the combos and timing moves correctly, but in the heat of battle, that X button is likely to get slammed a lot. And the battles can get extremely repetitive, with tons of similar enemies to take on. If you get the strategy right, it’s extremely rewarding. And the fight scenes look so good that a bit of button mashing doesn’t matter too much.

Fans of Arkham Asylum will find a lot to crow about with Arkham City. It is vast and engaging, with a solid story and tons to do. The controls are generally good, and the combat is intense and exciting. The presentation is the true king, with sublime visuals and superb voice acting

being the order of the day. But the semi-stealth game dynamic may not work for everyone, and sections of the game do show a bit of shakiness. Still, it’s a great step from Arkham Asylum, and the added gadgets and game tweaks make for a good, long gaming experience.

I am, of course, taking a chance in saying some of those slightly negative things… see, when it comes to characters like Batman, fans will not allow a bad word to be spoken. But the truth is that the coolness of the title will blind many to its few weaknesses.

They aren’t numerous, but they are there. If someone tells you that this is a perfect game, he is not seeing things objectively.

However, if he tells you that it is a really great title, with lots to do and see, and lots of fun on offer, he is pretty much bang on the money. g

Accessibility


15+Parental Advisory

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This is a great game, despite a chink or two that have crept in. Fans of Batman will likely be able to die happy now…

Developer: RocksteadyPublisher: Warner BrosDistributor: Nu Metro


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A winning formula is something that everyone is after, but it seems that people can take a few lessons from Activision. This company has, a

number of times in the past, created game franchises that have proven to be wildly popular, and sustainable. They might have shelved Guitar Hero, but let’s be honest… they did a lot right with that franchise.

And now they have something new, something which will get moms and dads cracking open their wallets to keep the kids happy – or even maybe to keep themselves happy. Skylanders: Spyro’s adventure combines a great platform adventure video game with a range of collectable toys. It is ingenious.

The player takes on the role of a Portal Master, who can use a Portal of Power to bring heroic Skylanders in to help save the magical kingdom of Skylands from an evil tyrant. Nothing special there, until you consider how it works. See, the player actually has a Portal of Power,

a peripheral that plugs into their console of choice. And they actually have Skylanders, cute figurines that can be collected.

When the Portal is plugged in and the game started up, any Skylander figurine that is placed on the Portal will appear in the game, more or less instantly.

Every level in the game can be played with any character, although some bonus areas are only accessible to characters of a certain class; fire, water, magic, mechanical and so on.

Additionally, certain classes are stronger in certain levels than others. Characters can be changed simply by swapping the figure standing on the Portal out… which has an almost instantaneous effect on the game.

Do you see the genius at work here? Completionist kids (and all kids are when it comes to

things like this) will need at least one character of each class to complete the game, not just the three characters

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Ka-ching!An ingenious way for Activision to make money…

by Walt Pretorius

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that the game comes with. And there are expansions sets, too, which unlock new missions and items… provided the toys are bought.

If you’re a parent, you may be rolling your eyes at this point. But there are several good reasons to consider what could become a substantial investment in your child’s entertainment. First off, there are the characters themselves. Elements of the game progress are saved onto the actual figurines, which are well made and quite frankly adorable. The figurines also work cross-platform. That means that kids can take the ones they have been suing with, say, their Xbox 360, and go visit a friend who had a Wii… using the same characters and saved information for a multiplayer session. All their progress there will be saved too, meaning that any level-ups and the like will be available to them when they get home. The characters can even be personalised, so that there are no arguments about which belongs to who. They can even


Accessibility


7+Parental Advisory

Casual

Hard-CoreMedium 79

Score

A new collectible game from Activision that will help lighten parents’ wallets.

Developer: Toys for BobPublisher: ActivisionDistributor: Megarom


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compete with each other in battle modes.Another plus is that Skylanders is extremely inoffensive.

Yes, the characters do battle in game, but there is no blood and gore, no harsh language and no other content that parents need to worry about. Skylanders is an extremely safe gaming option for kids of all ages.

The graphics are bright and cheery, and all speech is recorded. Although there are subtitles, kids don’t need to be able to read to enjoy Skylanders. The levels themselves are challenging at times, but they won’t be overly frustrating for youngsters, and will offer adults a pretty relaxed and enjoyable experience. And the controls are simple enough for any age, with plain, clear tutorial elements to help players along. The game is only around eight hours long, and the characters are capped at level ten (for now, we assume.) but kids who get bitten by the bug will get a lot of joy out of this, while their parents will be relieved of the burden of piles of cash. g

Movie of the Month


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Thor

DIRECTOR:Kenneth Branagh

STARRING:Chris HemsworthNatalie PortmanAnthony Hopkins

FPB Rating: 13PGV

90Scor

eDISTRIBUTOR:Nu Metro

MOVIE OF THE MONTH

As we slowly work our way towards the release of the Avengers next year (which will either be the best or the worst star-studded super-hero flick ever made) we can enjoy what is theoretically the second last DVD release leading up to it (with Captain America still outstanding).These films seem to be setting the scene for the upcoming film, and Thor is no different. The movie serves as an introduction to the character – the Norse god of thunder who is exiled from Asgard for his arrogance and general pig-headedness. The character is extremely well portrayed by Chris Hemsworth, who brings the arrogant yet almost clueless nature of Thor to the screen with flair. Other notable performances are delivered by Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins and Tom Hiddleston, while the direction by veteran Kenneth Branagh lends an almost classical feel to the film.The film is visually extremely impressive, with fantastic special effects that are extremely beautifully put together. However, a lot of the film’s impact is lost when viewed on the small screen. Like so many other super-hero movies, Thor is best when it is big and loud.Still, despite a somewhat predictable plot and pacing that is more or less textbook, Thor is a great movie, translating this favourite comic book character to the screen beautifully. g


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Matt Damon and Emily Blunt star in an unusual movie that could be called a thriller, a comedy or a romantic drama – and none of those descriptions would really be anywhere near on the money.Based on a short story by Philip K Dick, The Adjustment Bureau tells the story of a politician who discovers that our choices and destinies are controlled by a mysterious group of men (who all wear hats.) He falls in love with a beautiful, free-spirited woman, but it is not his destiny to be wither – and so begins his struggle to escape his fate and the Adjustment Bureau.Director George Nolfi puts a breathless pace to the film, turning it from being a quirky romantic drama into something that feels more like a thriller. The plot gets predictable from time to time, but the film does hold a surprise or two for the viewer. And, as a bonus, the idea is really rather unique.Some viewers may not like the almost-religious overtones that come through from time to time, but for the most part, The Adjustment Bureau is a very enjoyable film that presents a somewhat complex idea in a way that is easy to grasp. Oh, and we have to mention that the on-screen chemistry between Damon and Blunt is exceptional – you will buy their story hook, line and sinker. g

The Adjustment Bureau

DIRECTOR:George Nolfi

STARRING:Matt DamonEmily BluntMichael Kelly

FPB Rating: PG13

88Scor


Super-hero movies are pretty much all the rage these days. Movies based on Marvel characters are becoming a dime a dozen, but those based on DC heroes are a bit more rare. Perhaps there is good reason for that – many comic fans will say that Marvel characters are much more human and believable, while DC characters are just a little over the top.Green Lantern is such a character. When Hal Jordan, a reckless and irresponsible test pilot, is ‘chosen’ by a powerful ring brought to Earth by a dying alien, he becomes part of the Green lantern Corps, a group who use the power of will, represented by a green light, to fight against evil.The plot is predictable, and the premise is rather silly – even for a super-hero movie. But the acting is fun, and the film is presented in such a way that it becomes a rather satisfying popcorn-muncher. It doesn’t ask anything of the viewer other than to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.Ryan Reynolds is entertaining as the Green lantern, with his portrayal often seeming to make fun of what is a rather ridiculous situation. In fact, the whole film pokes fun at the idea, which is refreshing. It’s good fun, but don’t expect any depth. g

Green Lantern

DIRECTOR:Martin Campbell

STARRING:Ryan ReynoldsBlake LivelyPeter Saragaard

FPB Rating: PG13

85Scor

eDISTRIBUTOR: Nu Metro


After losing his brother, Brandon has to find some way to repay his brother’s debt, or will end up with the same fate as his brother… dead. So to repay the gangsters, Brandon gets involved in an underground fighting syndicate.Most movies based on underground fighting syndicates with real UFC fighters are normally flops, with really bad acting. This film is actually good, with the actors playing their roles convincingly. Most of the fights scenes are very good, with just a few odd moments where the viewer can see that the floor work was choreographed. Rudy Youngblood, as the main character, performs well as an actor and is also quite good as a fighter. Incidentally, Rudy Youngblood also starred in Apocalypto. There supporting roles by Danny Trejo and Michael Bisping are also pretty good. The cinematography was strangely done with constant zoom-in, zoom-out effects that can be a bit visually jarring, though. g

Beat Down

DIRECTOR:Michael Gunther

STARRING:Rudy YoungbloodEric BalfourDanny Trejo

FPB Rating: 16LNV

55Scor

eDISTRIBUTOR:Ster Kinekor

Hanna is an unusual film. It feels like a kids’ movie at times, and then throws out a few rather adult concepts and a fair deal of violence, just to keep you guessing. The story tells of a young girl (Soairse Ronan) who is raised out in the literal middle of nowhere by her father (Eric Banna). But it is obvious from the get-go that something weird is afoot, because he has trained his daughter to be an adept fighting machine. He gives her the choice to leave their secluded home and go to the ‘real world’, which she has no experience of. When she does so, she is thrust into a world full of intrigue, mystery and betrayal, as a CIA agent (Cate Blanchett) tries to track her down.Hanna has a very European feel to it, and takes on a few interesting questions and quandaries as it makes its way through a mildly predictable plot. At times you will be wondering why it wasn’t in the kiddies section, only to be reminded about its depth and complexity at others.Hanna is worth watching, but you will need to get past the film’s often child-like feel. Perhaps director Joe Wright intended this feel, to drive home Hanna’s relative innocence… if this is the case, though, he was a bit heavy handed about it. g

Hanna

DIRECTOR:Joe Wright

STARRING:Soairse RonanEric BannaCate Blanchett

FPB Rating: 13V

80Scor



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When an ex-con decides to turn over a new leaf, he accepts a job working as a security guard for a paranoid young model. However, his past won’t let go of him that easily, and he soon starts having to juggle between who he was, and who he wants to become.London Boulevard is an entertaining film that investigates the psychology of the characters to a degree, without ever getting bogged down in too much drama. It is a violent, expletive filled movie that features some really excellent performances by Colin Farrell, Keira Knightley, Ray Winstone and David Thewliss (who is really surprising in this film.)Sadly, it does lend itself to a high degree of predictability as it looks at the seedy underbelly of organised crime in the UK. Director William Monahan does a decent job of things, but one cannot help but feel that London Boulevard is trying to be Layer Cake.Still, London Boulevard is worth watching. The performances by Farrell and Knightley are very strong, delivering somewhat stereotypical characters in a believable fashion. London Boulevard goes out to shock and dismay, and often it gets it right. Commentary is not restricted to the crime world, either; it takes a rather nasty look at the British press, too. If you’re after solid action without too much demand in terms of thought, London Boulevard is a good option. g

London Boulevard

DIRECTOR:Michael Monahan

STARRING:Colin FarrellKeira KnightleyRay Winstone

FPB Rating: 18

79Scor

eDISTRIBUTOR:TBC

When a decorated soldier (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes up in another man’s body, he embarks on a race against time to find a bomber who is going to destroy a passenger train on route to Chicago. He soon learns that he is reliving past events, thrust into the last eight minutes of someone’s life using a new system called the source Code, which allows the military to access the final moments of a compatible subject’s life. All he has to do is identify the bomber… who has threatened to detonate a dirty nuke in Chicago later that same day. But he falls in love with one of the train passengers, and tries to do the impossible… alter the past.Source Code is a very clever concept that manages to keep the viewer guessing until the very end. Gyllenhaal’s performance is of the expected high level, although every now and then the plot drops into a bit of predictability. However director Duncan Jones manages to steer things right again each time, creating a film that is exciting, often breathless and very entertaining. The cinematography is of a good standard, too, with some really well-handled special effects to thrill the viewer. And it even features stand-up comedian Russell Peters in a tiny role. g

Source Code

87Scor

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DIRECTOR:Duncan Jones

STARRING:Jake GyllenhaalMichelle MonaghanVera Farminga

FPB Rating: 13LV

DISTRIBUTOR:Nu Metro


While on holiday sailing to Indonesia, the four friends capsize their boat after hitting the reef. Stranded in the middle of the ocean, they need to make a life and death decision; stay with the boat or swim for land.The acting isn’t all that bad, although in the opening scenes it seems as if the friends have never met before. This improves as the movie progresses. There are no standout performances, but the film delivers a sense terror that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat with suspense. The cinematography looks like it was filmed with a hand-held camera when on land, but looks much better when in the water. The film is very intense… but the scariest revelation it holds is the fact that The Reef is based on actual events. g

The Reef

DIRECTOR:Andrew Traucki

STARRING:Damian Walshe-HowlingZoe NaylorGyton Grantley

FPB Rating: 13L

67Scor


Lethal Justice is based on a TV series, True Justice, written by Steven Seagal. Kane (Seagal) and his undercover team of detectives try to bring “New Hope”, an organisation of white supremacists, to justice as they try to change the political future with murder and crime.Steven Seagal was by far the better actor overall but there were still a few good moments for both Megan Ory and Warren Christie. Steven Seagal, as the top cop, was calm and collected throughout the movie and came out best in every fight with his signature style. The plot seem too busywith multiple character plots crammed into one film. Not too bad overall but not a first choice. g

Lethal Justice

DIRECTOR:Wayne Rose

STARRING:Steven Seaga Megan OryWarren Christie

FPB Rating: 16VD

50Scor


Collectables


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Zombie nation...


The Complete SupermanCollection

CREATOR:Various

STARRING:Christopher ReeveMargot KidderGene Hackman

FPB Rating: PG

85Scor


COLLECTABLEOF THE MONTH

Seeing as how we’re going with a lot of super-hero movies this month, we thought it would be a good idea to take a look at a true classic of the genre: Superman. The movies in question are the ones starring the late Chrisopher Reeve, of course… they’re probably still the best Superman films around, despite special effects that look rather tacky by today’s standards.But one needs to consider the time that these films were made… the four films were released between 1978 and 1987, hardly a time when massive CGI budgets were wowing us like they are today. Making Superman fly in these movies took inventiveness and a hell of a lot of work, not a computer generated animation.Through these four films we see Superman’s character evolve, and Reeve really make the role his own. In fact, it is his defining role – Reeve and Superman are more or less synonymous. And he did so with style. His acting of the two parts of the Man of Steel (Clark Kent and Superman, of course) is excellent, as well as the performances by Margot Kidder (as Lois Lane) and Gene Hackman (as Lex Luthor).This collection is a true classic set, true to the characters and deserving a place in the DVD collection of any super-hero fan. No doubt about it. g

Super ControlWhat, no coffee maker?

by Walt Pretorius


Having lots of money means never having to exert yourself, unless you really want to. Well, it’s one of the things that lots of money

means, at least. We’re sure there are a few others. Like having stuff that is better than common, dirty people.

Take a remote control, for example… it’s the ultimate in convenience. You never have to get off of your steadily increasing butt to change channels or volume for your TV, hi-fi or whatever. But what good is this luxury if every person who can afford a TV gets one? Where is feeling special in being stupidly rich in that?

If you are faced with this nasty little quandary, Danish company Lantic Systems have the ultimate solution for you. Keep in mind that Lantic Systems specialise in high end stuff, ad are known for kitting out luxury yachts and high-end homes, so you don’t need to worry about the label when you proudly display the uniquely shaped Lantic Gold RC1 remote control. Yes, it’s round, which makes it stand out from the crowd of black plastic things that the common folk think are so cool. And yes, it’s made out of pure gold, not the tacky materials that

the peasants need to contend with.And here’s the thing. It controls everything. Everything!

That means you almost never have to leave your chair, unless the house is on fire or something. Aside from the expected TV, DVD, and hi-fi controls, it works a few other systems too. Like internet and email. CCTV and burglar alarms. Lights. Curtains. Air conditioning. Man, that’s living!

Of course, there is the issue of cost, but you’re stupidly rich, right? So the fact that when it was launched around four years ago with a price tag of around R350 000 doesn’t make a lick of difference. Being rich means never having to apologise for spending obscene amounts of money because you’re lazy. Just like it means never having to exert yourself. See, they tie in together.

The Gold RC1 can be used with any of Lantic’s extremely high-end systems, but it really is intended for use with yachts, because it also controls navigation systems and the like. So, there you go… buy a Gold RC1, and you have the perfect excuse to buy the obscenely huge boat to match. All sorted. g

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Battling the NoiseThe science of good sound

Ever sat on a plane or in a luxurious bus while listening to music on the tiny headphones they provide? It’s not a very nice experience, as the

ordinary headphones only blast out the most mediocre of sounds, and it’s very possible to hear the other passengers’ moaning or the roar of the engines.

Well, that is exactly the problem that Amar Bose was faced with in 1978 on board a flight to Europe. As the story goes, Bose put on the tiny headphones provided by the airline, but couldn’t hear the selection of music as the roar from the engines was too loud.

Legend has it that right there and then he started to do calculations to see if it was possible to use the headphones themselves to eliminate the background noises. And as history will tell us Bose, the founder of Bose Corporation, released the first pair of noise-cancelling headphones a decade later.

But how do noise-cancelling headphones work? How is it possible to use a device that creates sounds to eliminate

noises as well?There are actually two kinds of noise-cancelling

headphones available on the market, namely active or passive. Technically speaking, any headphone has the ability to be a passive noise-cancelling device, as they are made with materials that block out certain wavelengths, such as think ear padding or tight-fitting cups.

The best kind of passive noise-cancelling headphones are called circum-aural, as these have been specially constructed to maximize their noise-filtering properties. They are usually constructed from layers of high-density foam or other sound-absorbing material, which makes them rather heavy to lug around. They also only reduce the noise by about 15 to 20 decibels, and considering an aircraft hurls its self through the air at 75 to 80 dB of noise inside the cabin, it’s not much of a difference.

The real gems in the technology are active noise-cancelling headphones, and how they work is rather amazing. In essence they function in exactly the same way


as what passive ones do, as their construction already reduce a large amount of noise. But what is so amazing about them, is that they actually erase lower-frequency sound waves created by an engine, people talking or other sounds.

To explain it fully, it’s going to get a bit technical but it should be easy to grasp. To eliminate the sounds that the headphone’s construction missed, they create their own sound waves that exactly copy the incoming noise. But instead of overlying the sounds, their created sound waves are 180 degrees out of synch with the background noise. The created waves’ crests lines up with the noise’s troughs and vice versa, effectively cancelling each other out since they are on the same frequency, a phenomenon known as destructive interference.

A small microphone built into the cup of the headphones listens for the noise and at what frequency it’s being played at, and then knows exactly what sound waves to recreate. The circuitry in the ear cup translates the data

from the microphone, noting the frequency and amplitude of the incoming wave, and creates a duplicate of the noise that is 180 degrees out of phase.

The “anti-sound” created by the microphone and the circuitry are sent through the normal headphone speakers and played together with whatever music the listeners is playing. The anti-sound then destroys the noise that makes for clear listening. Naturally the circuitry needs to be powered by something, and noise-cancelling headphones will always have a rechargeable battery.

So with everything in play while the user blissfully hums away, the noise is reduced a further 20 decibels, blocking out 70% of background garbage.

Not only will it reduce background noise, but it has been proven that noise-cancelling headphones combat fatigue when traveling, as exposure to low-frequency noise for an extended period of time can make people drowsy. g

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and allowed doctors to be reached in case of emergencies.The system was soon adopted by all kinds of people who

needed to be contacted, even if they were not near a land-line. Keep in mind that this was before the days of cellular telephones.

To contact a person carrying a pager, one would call a telephone number, which would allow a message to be transmitted to the pager. That message could take a number of forms.

The most simple was via what was colloquially called a ‘beeper’. Earliest devices simply alerted the user that someone was trying to get hold of them; they would have to phone a centralised service to retrieve their messages.

The next step was the numeric pager. This device featured a screen, which could display telephone numbers

So you’re sitting back, watching an episode of House, MD. Amidst all the nasty comments and fudged diagnoses, the entire team of doctors get signalled

by their belt-worn pagers, before storming off to save the day. This may be a common sight in hospitals, where paging systems are in common use, thanks to restrictions on cell phones, and even poor cell phone coverage. But there was a time when a pager was a common sight almost anywhere…

Initially, pagers were also used by doctors (it’s almost odd how the technology has come full circle.) Introduced to physicians in New York in the 1950s, the first pagers had a range of around 40km, and weighed 800 grams. The initial subscription service had a cost of US$12 a month,


by Alex Scanlon

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Beep, BeepPaging Dr Obsolete…

and pager codes, effectively eliminating the need for a centralised service by giving the user the details of the person that was trying to contact them.

Adding letters to the display was only a small step up. Alphanumeric pagers could display short messages as well as telephone numbers. Some alphanumeric pagers even allow two way communication, either by means of a small keyboard or a set of standardised responses.

And, then, of course, there were the pagers that allowed the user to listen to a recorded message left by the person trying to contact them, much like a telephone answering machine.

Pagers became all the rage within the forty-odd years between their release and the rise of cellular telephones. Naturally, though, the cell phone soon supplanted the

pager as the mobile communication device of choice, with many more options and the ability for conversation trumping the pager’s often one way, short message systems.

Like many of the technologies we look at here, the pager is not dead yet, but it has seen a steady decline is use through the 21st Century, as cell phone technology has improved.

Handsets integrating numerous functions, beyond communication, have seen the pager become something of a niche product, often ridiculed in popular culture. And, as cell technology advances further, the use of pagers in areas where cell phones prove problematic may soon diminish even further. In short, the pager seems set to join the quickly forgotten masses of dead end tech.g


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