On the Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars development blog, one of the game’s producers, Neil Postlethwaite spoke a little about the game’s in-game advertising. He tried to justify this stating that they’re not gonna charge you for maintaining their servers, so they’re looking for other sources for the revenue. Here are his words:
"For the last four years, we've put all of our effort into making Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars. So, we're not planning to ship this game and walk away. We want to keep supporting ETQW in as many ways as possible. We'll be maintaining the persistent stats servers and the community site, and continuing to support ETQW with updates and improvements.
To help cover this level of on-going support without passing the costs on to the gamer, ETQW will feature appropriate advertisements in select locations of our levels. The ads aren't intrusive and you won't have to interact with them; they'll just be part of the normal environment. In fact, there are some places it's quite odd not to have an advertisement - the sides of container trucks, for example. Great care is being taken to ensure that all our ads are appropriate for the game world and we have absolute approval rights in this area. If it's not appropriate or it's distracting, it won't go in.
The company providing the ad system does not and will not store any personal information or data that otherwise can be used to identify you. All they track is if and how long you look at the advertisements.
For those of you participating in the upcoming beta, you will get a chance to see them for yourself very soon. And of course we will be releasing a demo prior to the retail launch of the game so everyone can check them out first.
Choosing to place ads in Enemy Territory was not a decision we made lightly. However, in doing so we hope to be able to provide a higher level of on-going support to the Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars community than would have been possible otherwise."
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Quake Wars to Feature In-Game Ads
New BF 2142 and BF 2 Map and Patch Out
EA and DICE have released a 1.40 patch for Battlefield 2142 and Battlefield 2, which will contain a beta version of their new map – Highway Tampa. The good news here is that you don’t have to shell out any dough to buy this map, since it’s completely free (unlike the map-packs on XBLA) to download (courtesy of Intel). Here’s a little about the changes the patch will bring about, along with some stuff about the map from the Battlefield website:
"The future Highway Tampa is here! Download the 2142 version of the newest Battlefield map brought to you by Intel and EA DICE then jump into the 1.4 beta. Featuring Titan and Dual Assault Lines this map focuses on classic Battlefield vehicle warfare with a futuristic twist. In Dual Assault lines each team can capture the enemies’ home base by controlling all of the neutral points. Whether you choose to skillfully coordinate your mechanized assault or dominate through overwhelming force Highway Tampa is the newest home of all out warfare.
The Battlefield 2142 1.4 beta update includes the following changes:
Fixed an exploit that would allow commanders to call Orbital and EMP strikes before it had fully recharged.
The Clark RDX Shotgun can now detonate other nearby explosives.
EU Assault Rifle recoil and deviation have been slightly reduced.
Bianchi and Shuko LMGs recoil reduced.
Clark Shotgun rate of fire increased.
Added an autosave to kit customisations. After you customise a kit and spawn in with that kit, the customisation will be automatically saved until you change it and spawn in again. Note that you must spawn in with a particular kit for it to be saved."
Click here to download the patch.http://www.tech2.com/india/downloads/games-and-entertainment/battlefield-2142-patch-+-highway-tampa-map/7832
Halo 2 Single Player Impressions
Released way back in 2001 as one of the launch titles for the first generation Xbox, Halo was a milestone in gaming for Xbox owners everywhere. Sure it was a killer game but it wasn’t anything PC gamers had not seen before as a result of which they weren’t as impressed as their console brethren. Developer Bungie quickly followed up with a sequel in 2004 that fared even better than its predecessor in every which way firmly establishing Master Chief as an iconic figure in the video game industry. And now in 2007 we have Halo 3 that’s all set to dominate the Xbox 360 charts once again but that’s really not what this article is about; we’re here to talk about the PC version of Halo 2 which as you all know is a launch title for Microsoft’s latest Operating System, Windows Vista. So is the game worth the time, money, energy, patience and not to mention upgrade? Bwahahahahhahahaha... hahahahahahahahaha!
All right then... now that I’m a bit composed let’s take a minute and analyze the situation here to find out what caused this hysterical outburst. For starters, the game’s 3 years late in coming to the PC; sure the game was a rage back in the day but after PC gamers have been spoilt with stuff like F.E.A.R. and Half Life 2, how can you expect to impress them with such a mediocre port? Next, the game looks pretty bad as compared to current games in the market and even though they had three years to polish this game, we only get a little aliasing, sharper textures and higher resolutions. And finally, the only way you’re going to be able to play this game is if you upgrade to Windows Vista (the cheapest version costs Rs. 6,000). Oh and I almost forgot, co-op which was an integral part of the Halo 2 experience for the Xbox IS NOT present in the PC version (just like they did for Halo). So in conclusion we have a three year old game that doesn’t bring anything new to the table and forces you to upgrade to Vista; still think I’m crazy?
DotA Hero Guides - New Heroes III
Introduction:
Unlike the other new heroes Lanaya is not a hybrid; she’s a pure burst damage dealer that can dish out a lot of hurt in no time, and get outta battle safe and sound. She’s got a small HP pool though, so you’d be wise to beware of ganks and play smart.
The Good:
Low Cooldown/mana cost on spells
High damage output
Can setup ganks really well
The Bad:
Terrible Strength Growth
Vulnerable to ganks
Refraction (Mana Cost – 75/ Cooldown – 23 Sec.)
Description: Manipulating psionic energy around herself granting a mystical refraction of light that protects her from external harm and giving her bonus damage for a limited number of instances (the instances change from 2 to 5 depending on the skill level. The effect lasts for 20 seconds, and deals 20, 40, 60 or 80 damage depending on level.
Lanaya has a really small hitpoint pool which makes her really vulnerable to both physical and magical damage. Refraction helps her on both offensive and defensive fronts by blocking incoming damage as well boosting her damage output, making it an extremely important skill for her. We’ll max this skill out first so that you get that extra bit of damage to help you farm, as well as face up to most heroes.
Meld (Mana Cost – 50 / Cooldown – 7 Sec.)
Description: The art of Shakuras allows Lanaya to conceal herself at any time of the day and strike from the shadows with her armor-shredding blades. Deals bonus damage and reduces enemy armor (by 2, 4, 6, and 8) for 10 seconds. The attack does 50 to 200 bonus damage depending on the spell level.
Meld is a great skill, provided you’re in range of your enemy to use it. If your Psi Blades aren’t maxed out, you’re gonna have a tough time using this skill since the range will only be 140, which is almost as good as melee. We shall get this spell after you’ve maxed out Psi Blades.
Psi Blades (Mana Cost – N/A / Cooldown – N/A)
Description: Using her psionic powers, the Templar causes enemy units behind her target to feel the same pain as the target itself. This psionic power extends her attack range. The range and damage spill bonus increases with level from 40 to 160 and 60 to 240 respectively.
This skill helps increase Lanaya’s attack range as well gives her a good amount of splash damage. If you’re gonna use Meld effectively, you’re surely gonna need this spell
Psionic Trap (Mana Cost –15/ Cooldown – 10 Sec.)
Description: Creates psionic traps on ground. When triggered, it will slow units within 400 range by 50% for 5 seconds. The maximum level of traps that can be set increases from 5 to 11 with spell level.
You’ve just gotta love this ultimate! It has an insane cast range, low cooldown, low mana cost, and helps you escape as well as gank; so what’s not to like? If you wish to, you can use it as a sentry ward at rune locations and to detect incoming ganks. Make sure to be liberal with their placements, but try and scatter them around a single lane (preferably the one you’re in) to help you and your teammates by slowing your foes.
Skill Build –
Level 1 - Psi Blades lvl 1
Level 2 – Refraction lvl 1
Level 3 – Refraction lvl 2
Level 4 – Psi Blades lvl 2
Level 5 – Refraction lvl 3
Level 6 – Psionic Trap
Level 7 – Refraction lvl 4
Level 8 - Psi Blades lvl 3
Level 9 - Psi Blades lvl 4
Level 10 – Meld lvl 1
Level 11 –Psionic Trap
Level 12 – Meld lvl 2
Level 13 – Meld lvl 3
Level 14 – Meld lvl 4
Early Game:
Items you should buy:
Play a little defense before you get level 2 Refraction, since you don’t have the hitpoint or the damage to face an enemy hero head on. Level 3 onwards though, you can afford to cast Refraction and get the enemy hero a few times to harass him. If his range is too much or he’s nuking the crap outta you, just stay back and keep farming a little and trying to get denies. Your objective is to farm as well as possible since you’re gonna need the cash to buy a Mithril Hammer and a pair of Boots.
Mid Game:
Items you should buy:
At this stage of the game, your Refraction and Psi Blades should be maxed out and you should have 1-2 levels of Meld; it’s time to start ganking. Before a gank, remember to place a few traps in the direction you expect the enemy hero to run. If you have another hero with you, ask him to force the enemy hero back by engaging him, and ensure that you’re near a trap that’s placed behind the enemy. Meld yourself and hit the enemy with the first shot, reducing his armor and detonating the trap so that you get that extra bit of damage to take him down with ease. Once you have enough cash, get yourself a Stygian Desolator to completely annihilate the armor of your enemy (since Meld reduces armor too), so that you can pound on him without any damage reduction.
Late Game:
Items you should buy:
The next item on your shopping list is a Butterfly. You should be able to farm with relative ease at this point, thanks to your high damage output and your splash damage. You can set up to 11 traps at this point, so use them wisely and distribute them in areas your team's headed too. With the help of your teammates, you should be able to decimate your foes with ease. Just be sure to use Refraction whenever you're in battle and the cooldown's over, since it's the only defensive skill you have at this point. Don't be foolish and Meld right near area damage heroes while you're on low health, else you're sure to get slaughtered. Play wisely, and ensure that you always participate in team battles to drive your team to victory.
Optional Item(s):
Tomb Raider Anniversary
When British archaeologist Lara Croft made her debut in the virtual world of video games way back in 1996 she immediately became an icon overnight. For years she was every adolescent’s favorite pin up girl enjoying top spot on their walls/computer desktops etc. but slowly her popularity started declining as Eidos started churning out crappier sequels and then in 2003 Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness happened ending all hopes of her every reviving her career. Before kissing the franchise goodbye Eidos decided to hand over the realms of development of one last Tomb Raider game to British developer Crystal Dynamics who not only managed to revitalize her career with Tomb Raider legend but also brought her back in the limelight once again.
And now we have Eidos cashing in on the Lara fever once again with Tomb Raider Anniversary (TRA), a re-release of Lara’s very first game using the Legend engine to celebrate her ten year stint in the industry. Fans of the series will fall in love with Lara all over again as she platforms her way into their hearts and as far as newcomers are concerned, they’re bound to have a good time since this game right here, is the perfect introduction to the series.
Dungeon Siege Launches into Space
Chris Taylor and Gas Powered Games' popular role-playing franchise is headed in a completely new direction – into space. The game is scheduled for a Q1 2008 launch, which means that it's probably been in the works for a while now.
Moving away from the traditional mythical settings of blade-meets-monster, Space Siege will focus on engineering yourself using cybernetic implant/upgrades at the cost of your humanity. The storyline will supposedly involve Earth being destroyed, and you’ll be stuck aboard the last remaining spaceship. Just like the Dungeon Siege games we’ll probably see a co-op mode in Space Siege, which will be equally kick-ass. Let’s see what they reveal about the game in this year’s E3 (which is next week by the way).
E3 2007: Viva Pinata coming to PCs
Microsoft’s sleeper hit that had you playing about with a bunch of Pinatas is all set to enthrall PC gamers as Microsoft today announced that they plan to port Viva Pinata to PCs. No details regarding the PC version have been released as of now but here’s a slight heads up as to what the game's all about just in case you missed it the first time:
A wild and easy-to-control kids' game by famed developer Rare. Designed together with the "Viva Pinata" Saturday morning 3-D animated TV series, this Xbox 360 game is a customizable, social and spontaneous game that invites players of all ages and skills to explore an immersive world where they are challenged to create and maintain a living garden ecosystem that grows in realtime.
E3 2007: Gears of War Coming to PC
After tons of speculation and rumours Microsoft finally came clean and broke the news that all of us have been waiting for and that is that Gears of War is finally coming to the PC; here’s what you can look forward to in the PC version:
Frag-filled new content
Gears of War will feature locations that are unique to the franchise and the genre. Players will encounter all their favorite foes from the Xbox 360 version; however, these intense encounters will take place in some new environments and allow players to manipulate the new game modes and technology found only in the Games for Windows title. Boasting three new multiplayer maps, a new multiplayer game type, Game Editor, five new campaign chapters and DirectX 10 support, Gears of War, will challenge and push the limits of the PC gaming experience and provide an unparalleled visual presentation.
Unmatched online gaming
Gears of War will tap into the power of Games for Windows — LIVE to deliver online matchmaking for its Gold account members. The service will enable gamers around the world to connect via their PCs, allowing players to experience individualized matchmaking, view player statistics, earn player Achievements, customize games and create personalized profiles.
New Game Editor
The game will also feature the all-new Game Editor, guaranteeing new user-generated content in the future. The Gears of War community will be able to tap its endless creative potential to develop an unlimited number of user-created levels through complete access to the Unreal Editor. Using the new engine, players can now import custom artwork into the engine, create particle systems, scripted encounters, cinematics and more.
Astounding visuals in next-generation gaming
Gears of War ushers in the next generation with incredible visuals, pushing DirectX 10 visual designs and bringing out the smallest details in the largest battle. Gamers experience a rich, dynamic world with a supreme level of detail. Characters come to life with unbelievable model quality and a physics-integrated animation system that has them truly reacting intelligently to events unfolding around them.
http://www.tech2.com/media/images/2007/Jul/img_11911_stalker_2_450x360.jpg
If you haven’t played Gears of War on the Xbox 360, you’ll be able to make up for it when it releases on the PC. Here’s a PC gameplay trailer, to show you what you’ve been missing...
Although the game seems identical to its Xbox 360 counterpart, it’ll contain additional content including a new ‘Brumak’ boss fight. From the looks of it this guy seems pretty bad ass and will probably be a pain in the butt to take down; I’m up for the challenge – bring it on Brumak!
E3 2007: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky Announced
I’ll be honest; at first I didn’t like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. a lot but after a small pep talk with Nikhil I gave this game another shot and somehow fell in love with it immediately (yeah, I’m weird like that). At E3 2007 I was actually hoping we would get some sort of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. news and the Gods must be smiling for we get a full-fledged expansion that’ll take place before the events of the first STALKER game.
A group of stalkers has for the first time reached the very heart of the Zone – Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, and brings about a cataclysm on the brink of a catastrophe. An immense blowout of anomalous energy changes the Zone. There are no more reliable and relatively safe roads. The entire levels vanish in the outbursts of anomalies. Stalkers and even expeditions die or end up sealed on the lost territories. New areas, which remained unknown since the time of the Zone emergence, appear on the Zone map. The Zone continues to shake with blowouts. The Zone is unstable. The anomalous activity is at its maximum.
Changes of the Zone map known to stalkers shake the fragile balance of forces in the Zone. Among the groupings, there flare up hostilities for the new territories, artifact fields and spheres of influence. There are no more old enemies or friends – now everyone is for himself. The Factions War has started between the groupings.
The protagonist is a mercenary who appeared at the edge of the opposition between stalker factions, Strelok and even the Zone itself. The main character will have to play the key role in the events, which led to creation of the Zone up to the point from which the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game begins.
For more on the game kindly head http://www.stalker-game.com/en/?page=news&item=47
Lost Planet (PC) to Get Update
After opening to a rather cold response (oh the irony) Capcom's all set to warm gamers up with a free update for the PC version of Lost Planet (which should be available by the 20th of July) that’ll include four multiplayer maps as well as three playable characters from the Capcom universe: Frank West from Dead Rising, Joe from Lost Planet and Mega Man. But wait, there's more...
The download will also feature several new view modes including a "Resident Evil 4" style view and a new"“Wide" view option. Multiplayer mode has been updated and now includes a list of connected players for easy reference. A movie mode has also been added to the game which enables players to watch all the in-game story line cut scenes back to back.
I don’t think this can still hide the fact that the game was a pretty piss poor port.
More Info on Bioshock(PC) Revealed
With the release of Irrational Games' Bioshock just around the corner, they've released a good chunk of material on the game’s official website including PC screenshots and a nice in-depth FAQ on system specifications; here they are:
PC SPEC FAQs
How much will a single-core processor hold you back in playing this game?
A single core processor will reduce your frame rate compared to an equivalently clocked dual core processor. However the game is still perfectly playable on single-core processors using lower detail settings.
Will Athlon dual-core processors work with this game?
Yes, they get a similar speed boost to Intel dual core over the equivalent single core processor.
Will a DX10 card also play the game in DX9 on XP?
Yes.
How does the DX10 version compare to the 360 graphics? And DX9?
The 360 and DX9 graphics are roughly equivalent. The DX10 graphics add a few additional features and image quality enhancements on top of this.
What kind of frame rates can you expect using an 8600 card and DX10?
Depends on what detail settings you use and what resolution as well as your CPU. Obviously this card will support the game pretty well though, so I would expect at least 30-40 FPS on high detail.
How high a resolution can you play this game at with recommended specs for DX9 and DX10? What will the frame rates be?
Pretty much whatever your monitor and card support. For a really good frame rate we would probably recommend 1280x1024, though you could go higher if you prefer higher resolution to super high FPS.
Will the game run fairly consistently at 30 FPS on the recommended system specs with medium graphical settings?
Definitely, and probably higher.
What does the internet activation entail? Why do you have it?
It's an anti-piracy measure that we unfortunately have to implement to curb illegal game distribution as best we can. It's a one time check and then you're done.
Is there another way to activate the game if you don’t have internet at home?
No, you must have an internet connection to install and activate the game. It is part of the system requirements because of this.
Can you play the game if you have to reinstall windows after you have installed it once?
Yes, this is possible.
It’s good to know that another multi-platform title will surpass its console counterpart visually. That being said, I don’t know how fool proof their anti-piracy measures will be, but I for one will gladly pay for a legit copy of this game. Let’s just hope that Bioshock releases in India pretty soon, else we’re gonna have to go through a lot of pain by getting it ordered online. To find out more about their game, check http://www.2kgames.com/cultofrapture/pcblowout.html
Indiagames Partners with PopCap
At the CGA Casual Connect Seattle 2007 conference yesterday, Indiagames announced that they're going bring PopCap's Games to their GoD service. For the clueless, PopCap Games is one of the most successful Casual game developers out there; their hit titles include Bejeweled, Zuma, Chuzzle, and Bookworm, which will make it to the GoD service soon. Here’s what James Gwertzman, PopCap's Vice President for Asia/Pacific had this to say about the partnership:
"We are very optimistic about the prospects of casual games in India
We're excited to work with Indiagames to bring our award-winning games to Indian consumers. The online games market in India is just getting off the ground, and we're excited to be there at the beginning."
Those of you who haven't heard of GoD, it's the 'Games on Demand' monthly subscription based gaming service that Indiagames has to offer. The service gives you access to around 300 games from publishers such as Atari, Activision, Codemaster, Microsoft, Cenaga, Playfirst, Sandlot, Eidos, Hipsoft, and Magnasoft.
Minor Starcraft II Update - Twilight Archon
In this week’s update, Blizzard revealed the powerful Protoss Twilight Archon. These psionic creatures of immense templar power were seen in the original Starcraft and they’ll retain their bad-ass-ness this time around too. Here’s a little more about them from the official site:
"These swirling, burning effigies of the protoss spirit radiate incalculable power. Their devastating psionic storms can be unleashed against cowering enemy forces both in the air and on the ground. With the halves of the protoss race reunited, an archon can now be brought into being by the merge of two high templar, or two dark templar, or even the unification of a dark templar and a high templar. Although the protoss are loath to sacrifice valuable templar, those who do achieve this final level of commitment are forever honored in the memories of their people
Crysis Story Confirmed
Behind the insanely drool-worthy visuals of Crysis, most people have either lost sight, or not bothered with the storyline of the game. Those who have been following the storyline should be familiar with the two stories that have been circulating online, one of which has just been confirmed by Crytek. Here’s the scoop, courtesy of Crysis-Online:
Global tensions have reached boiling point as the U.S. and North Korea square off in the South China Sea. At stake: a mysterious artifact uncovered by a team of U.S. archaeologists.
The North Korean government quickly seizes the area, prompting the U.S. to dispatch an elite team of Special Forces operatives on a rescue mission. During the siege the true nature of the artifact quickly emerges, pointing to the existence of an alien presence on Earth, and ultimately the trigger for a massive-scale alien invasion.
The battle to save Earth begins as the aliens’ flash freeze the tropics into a ghostly-white frozen landscape.
As gamers take up arms against the aliens, they will be outfitted with customizable weapons and a high tech Nanosuit, allowing them to adapt their tactics and abilities to a hostile, ever-changing environment and a mysterious enemy.
Lost Planet: Extreme Conditions (PC)
Eye Candy – If I had to sum the game up in one word, that would be it. That isn’t such a great thing though, for the visuals are the best part of Lost Planet: Extreme Conditions, with almost all of the other areas falling short in one way or another. Think of it like a really smokin’ hot chick with no (or a really small) brain. Before I make this review sound like a complete bitch-fest, let me clear things up a little. If you check out Nash’s review of the Xbox 360 version of the game, he’ll tell you that the game’s pretty good. I’m with him on that – the game was a great experience on the Xbox 360 (at least where the action is concerned) and in the short time I’ve spent with the Xbox 360 version, I had a blast. The PC port on the other hand, although technically pretty well built, leaves a lot to be desired...
First things first – I’m not gonna waste your time by telling you the game’s plot all over again; if however, some of you wish to read about it you can check out the first page of Nash’s review. With that out of the way, let me tell you what bothers me about the game – have you ever thought of a game like Huxley, where PC gamers could pit themselves against console (Xbox 360 to be specific) gamers? I’m sure you’d agree with me that PC gamers would at least dominate, if not slaughter their competition. The fact is that a Mouse + keyboard setup gives you a lot more control over a game than a Game Controller for pretty obvious reasons. That is exactly what plagues Lost Planet: Extreme Conditions on the PC - you’ll be amazed by how easy the game is. This of course wasn’t the case in the Xbox 360 version – maneuvering your dual analog sticks to aim accurately and hit the Akrid (big bad bugs) at key points while was quite a challenge. When it moves over to the mouse and keyboard setup for the PC port, all you have to do is point with the mouse and click, click, click and click some more – monster dead – level over – rinse – repeat. The controller scheme wasn’t meant for PC at all, and anyone looking for a challenge will be pretty disappointed here.
GoW PC Content to Remain PC Exclusive
It seems PC owners will finally have the last laugh as far as Gears of War is concerned because all the exclusive stuff like bonus missions, big ass boss fight, map editor, new multiplayer modes etc. that’s shipping with the PC version of the game will not be available on the Xbox 360. And if you think we’re pulling a fast one on ya, here’s the harsh truth straight from Rod Fergusson who by the way is the producer for the PC version of Gears:
"There is no plan to provide the PC exclusive content to Xbox 360 gamers for a number of technical reasons. One is simply the size and scope of the new content which would be difficult to deliver as an update. But more importantly, Gears of War for Windows was not created with the same version of Unreal Engine 3 as Gears of War for 360. We wanted to take advantage of all the latest and greatest optimizations and features that are constantly being added to UE3 and as such, this new content is not easily compatible with the Xbox 360 version."
Supreme Commander Patch Out
A new patch for Supreme Commander is out, that’ll update the real-time strategy game to version 1.1.3260. Apart from the bug fixes (that are mentioned below), there’ll be three new units to play around with, one for each faction, namely the UEF T2 Bomber, Aeon Guided Missile and the Cybran T2 Bomber.
Here are the changes the patch will bring about:
Bug fixes and other changes:
Fixed an issue with Ferry Beacon guarding
Visual tweaks to UEF shield effect
Horde AI will now utilize T3 land units
Performance improved when showing waypoint lines
Fixed crash bug associated with air units refueling/repairing on air staging platforms
Air superiority has been retuned across all three factions.
We didn’t really like the game too much, but a few others did and if you're one of them, you can download the patch from here. To read our opinion on the game, head over http://www.tech2.com/india/reviews/pc-games/supreme-commander/5010/0
Crysis Dated... Sort of
The coming months are probably going to make every gamer on the block a broke bloke (dare ya to say that fast) and to make matters worse, Electronic Arts have decided to release Crytek’s much awaited tropical shooter during the month of November as well, which means you not only have to make sure you have the dough to pick up the game but you have a powerful rig to run the game in all its graphical glory as well.
For more on the game, kindly head http://www.electronicarts.co.uk/games/8456/
World of Warcraft Expansion Announced
If you thought Blizzard would wait a while before announcing their next WoW expansion, you were wrong (and so was I)! It isn’t gonna be the Emerald dream this time either – instead, their gonna take all of us World of Warcrack addicts to freeze our asses off in the snowy region of Northrend. That’s right, the next expansion is called World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King (here’s a link to their official site). Here's a little on what the game will feature:
• Death Knight Hero Class: Create a high-level Death Knight character -- the game's first hero class -- once certain challenges have been met.
• Increased Level Cap: Advance to level 80 and gain potent new talents and abilities along the way.
• Northrend: Explore the harsh new continent of Northrend, packed with new zones, quests, dungeons, monsters, and items -- and do battle with the undead armies of the Lich King.
• "Inscription" Profession: Learn this exciting new profession and gain unique ways to permanently enhance spells and abilities in the game.
• Siege Weapons and Destructible Buildings: Take the battle to another level with new player-vs.-player game mechanics and new battlefields to wage war on.
• New Character Customization: Change how characters look and express themselves, with different hairstyles and dance animations.
I dunno about you guys, but I was pretty disappointed with this announcement; I didn’t expect them to bring Arthas into WoW anytime soon, since he’s such a huge figure in the game’s storyline. Oh well, looks like they want to wrap up most of the old antagonists (Rest in peace Illidan) to make way for new ones – for all you know they’re growing weary of the same franchises and want to start something new. I was hoping to see another RTS based in the Warcraft world revolving around Northrend, but by the looks of it I doubt that’ll happen.
id Software Gets Steamy
At the Quake Con 2007 that’s currently taking place in Dallas, Texas, John Carmack, head honcho of id Software announced a collaboration with Steam that would enable them to sell their extensive catalog of shooter via Valve’s digital service. Here’s an extensive list of all the id stuff available on Steam:
Commander Keen, Episodes 1 through 5
Wolfenstein 3D
Spear of Destiny
Return to Castle Wolfenstein
Ultimate DOOM
DOOM II
Final DOOM
DOOM3
DOOM3: Resurrection of Evil
QUAKE
QUAKE Mission Pack 1: Scourge of Armagon
QUAKE Mission Pack 2: Dissolution of Eternity
QUAKE II
QUAKE II Mission Pack: The Reckoning
QUAKE II Mission Pack: Ground Zero
QUAKE III Arena
QUAKE III: Team Arena
Heretic
Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders
HeXen
HeXen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel
HeXen II
id PACKAGES on Steam:
DOOM 3 Pack: Includes DOOM 3 and DOOM 3: Resurrection of Evil
QUAKE III Pack: Includes QUAKE III Arena and QUAKE III: Team Arena
Wolf Pack: Includes Wolf 3D, Spear of Destiny and Return to Castle Wolfenstein
DOOM Pack Complete: Includes all DOOM games released by id
QUAKE Pack: Includes all 8 QUAKE Titles available on Steam
HereticHeXen Pack: Includes Heretic, Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders, HeXen, HeXen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel, HeXen II
Id Super Pack: Every id game on Steam
For more, kindly head here.http://www.steamgames.com/v/index.php?publisher=id
Hellgate: London Dated
After years of teasing eager gamers all over with CG as well as in-game videos, EA and Namco Bandai have finally announced a concrete release date for their first person action RPG, Hellgate: London. The game’s been in development for quite some time now and till a while back a lot of us started considering this title to be nothing more than vaporware but the newly announced release dates prove us wrong... thankfully!
Get ready to hack, slash, and shoot your way through a demon-infested London this Halloween! Electronic Arts Inc. and NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced that Hellgate: London, the premier title from Flagship Studios, will start hitting retail stores in North America on October 31, 2007 and in Europe on November 2, 2007 for the PC.
"We wanted to hit the sweet-spot for release in terms of the development schedule and delivering the highest-quality game to our players," said Bill Roper, CEO of Flagship Studios. "Halloween was the perfect fit as it ensures that Hellgate: London will have an appropriate amount of beta testing, while also being an incredibly fun time to unleash the game."
For more on the game head over to its official site.
Quake Wars Dated
At the ongoing Quake Con 2007, id software finally announced the release date of Splash Damage’s much anticipated FPS, Enemy Territories: Quake Wars. The game will hit American shores by the 2nd of October while European gamers will have their shot at the game by the 28th of September.
No mention was made about the Xbox 360 or PS3 ports so console gamers will just have to patiently wait for a while.
Football Manager 2008 Announced
There are people who love playing football while there are some who love managing the players that play the sport and this announcement pertains to the latter half. Sega have announced yet another Football Manager game titled Football Manager 2008 that should hit stores before Christmas 2007.
The latest version of Football Manager will be fully updated for the new season and will allow players to select their favourite club or international team and guide them to glorious success by putting them through Cup matches, Leagues, European Championships and even major international tournaments, with over 5,000 playable teams from over 50 countries
Age of Conan will Run on Oblivion PCs
If you’ve been following the upcoming MMORPG Age of Conan, you’ve probably seen the screenshots and wondered if it would play on your rig. It turns out that if you can play Oblivion on your PC, it should have no trouble in handling Age of Conan; at least that’s what this post on the official forum says. The post’s translated and quoted from French gaming website JeuxOnline’s Age of Conan fansite, and here’s a Q&A from there –
"We could read that a computer which can run Oblivion would be enough to run AoC, but up to what point? Will a computer running Oblivion in "max" details be able to run AoC with the same level of details? Can we have more details on this information?
This is constantly changing as we continue to add to the game and optimize the client. Age of Conan is quite beautiful even not on max settings and a PC running Oblivion at "max" should have a great game experience with Conan."
It’s good to know that the game’s scalable enough to run on most of the mid-ranged rigs these days; after all, an MMORPG that requires a monster PC to run doesn’t make any sense right?
South Park Box Set to Offer Free WoW Trial
If you’re a South Park fan and like the ‘Make Love, not Warcraft’ episode, here’s your chance to get addicted to WoW – if you buy the South Park Season ten box set, you’ll get a free 14-day trial of World of Warcraft.
It’s a pretty smart marketing move from Blizzard in my opinion, since they’ve already reached out to South Park fans via the show. This is their chance to cash in on the South Park fans that enjoyed the WoW episode by getting them hooked onto WoW – more fish for the endless Warcraft ocean, and more green stuff for Blizzard’s bank account!
Behold! The Wireless Future
Over the last few years, wireless network technologies such as Wi-Fi have emerged from the mainstream. Not only has the cost of equipment for Wi-Fi fallen by huge margins, the underlying technology itself has evolved to the point, where Wi-Fi has now become a very good low-cost alternative to the traditional wired LAN connectivity that delivers for homes and small offices.
As Wi-Fi continues to grow in popularity due to its ability to deliver the Internet on the move, an increasing no of gadgets have sprung up that are able to utilize Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi hotspots have mushroomed worldwide that promise high-speed, low cost internet connectivity.This has placed a lot of strain on existing wireless setups and has given rise to certain concern in various circles as to the future of wireless networking. For this many groups and bodies have been working on establishing new standards which would work on boost existing technologies and resolving issues that plague them. In this article we will be mentioning two of of these technologies and the promises they bring with them.
Wi-Fi 802.11n
Assume you are sitting in a Barista enjoying coffee, while using the Wi-Fi connection to surf the internet on your laptop. Here the Wi-Fi signal would be full and fast, and the speeds you would enjoy for surfing would be great. Now you have finished your coffee and have decided to leave Barista. This is where the problems would start. At just a short distance of less than 100 feet away, your laptop would no longer pickup a Wi-Fi signal and would lose all connectivity with the internet. So unless you decide to go back in and have another coffee or hang around just right outside the shop… the expensive prepaid credit you have just purchased would probably waste, since you are no longer connected to the internet.
A Typical Wi-Fi 802.11n Home Network Router
This is one of the fundamental problems of current generation Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi speeds right now, are restricted to just about a theoretical 54 Mbit/s (20-25 Mbit/s real world speeds) and can travel to a maximum distance of 25 meters before it fades away. For addressing these problems IEEE –SA, the body that governs the development of the Wi-Fi standard decided to come up with a new 802.11N standard. This new standard while retaining backwards compatibility with current standards promises a quantum jump in speeds. The theoretical speeds go up from around 54 Mb to around 540 Mb while the distance it will be able to cover will increase to 50 Meters.
In real life numbers such a jump will actually translate into 10x faster performance. This means, not just products based on 802.11N will be able to cast a wider We-FI signal, it would also mean these products would continue to maintain the speed, the moment you start moving away from the main access point. This would be a real boon for Wi-FI users as it would allow them to move more freely around a WI-FI zone without losing speed and connectivity.
Despite the fact that 802.11N has not yet been ratified as a full standard it has already got the fancy of many PC manufacturers. Companies like Apple, Linksys, and Dlink are already offering 802.11N pre draft products. We plan to review a few of these products pretty soon… so watch this space.
Asus WL-600G
Over the last five years, the number of people using the Internet in India has increased exponentially. This trend will not change anytime soon, with the expectation that within this year we will see a fantastic 60 percent growth in broadband use in the country. As the no of Internet users begins to rise, so does the spread of technical knowledge. A lot of users today don’t only use the internet for just surfing or chatting. They use it to play multiplayer games, use it for internet telephony, and other tasks. At the same time the growing affluence of the Indian middle class, has lead to a scenario in urban centers where many households have more than one PC. In such households, you will find commonly that there is one primary desktop and users with individual laptops.
In such cases the need for faster forms of broadband Internet has arisen. This has been answered to a large extent by public sector companies such as MTNL and BSNL, who have stepped up and have started offering broadband Internet at attractive prices using the ADSL2+ method of broadband delivery. Here the Internet is delivered over your POTS (Plain Old Telephone System). Yes! we are referring to the copper wire that your landline is connected to. Another question that routinely pops up, is how best to share this Internet connection in a household, after all it is not feasible to have individual connections for every user. This is where Wi-Fi comes in usable. As it has become common-place with virtually all laptops shipping with support for it, Wi-Fi makes it possible to share the Internet connection without any issues.
Keeping all this in mind networking companies like Linksys, Netgear, D-link and now Asus have started offering all-in-one solutions based on the ADSL2+ platforms. These solutions are typically routers that ship with support for ADSL2+ technology, have inbuilt Wi-Fi access points, double up as 4 port network switches, have a STPI firewall, QOS prioritization for VoIP, AV streaming and gaming and in some cases can even act as virtual servers for print sharing.
One such device which we are going to be reviewing today is the ASUS WL-600G which Asus claims offers virtually all the points that we have listed above. Would it be able to keep up with the competition and deliver on all fronts? Read on to find out.
One thing I like about ASUS is that in any PC related device they make, they take the trouble of making it look attractive. The WL-600G is no exception to this as it ships in a nice off-white/silver body, that looks neat and is really an improvement over the dull grey/black combos that other manufacturers prefer. The only downside here is the fact that India being a dusty country, this color combination will attract a lot of dust and will require it to be cleaned a little more often.
In terms of physical size and dimensions the WL-600G is a big boy. Compared to its direct competitors like the D-link 604T and Linksys AG241, the WL-600G is a lot bigger. This does create a problem as it makes it difficult to simply install the router in one corner, configure it and forget about it. Due to its size, one has to either build a bracket for it or install it on the top of our PC.
D-Link 802.11n Range Solution
In a recent feature, we had spoken about emerging wireless technologies with a specific reference to 802.11n and the performance leap it promises to deliver. D-Link which enjoys considerable popularity in India, has now made its 802.11n products available in India. How do these products stack up to previous 802.11g products? Read on to find out.
Since D-Link has released these products to be partnered with each other, for purposes of our review we have clubbed the following products together.
1. D-Link Range booster N650 Router DIR-635
2. D-Link Range booster N650 Adapter DWA-645
3. D-Link Range booster N650 Desktop Adapter DWA-547
Linksys Wireless - G Music Bridge
We're all looking for ways to enhance our normal living experience right? Since we're labor-saving and entertainment devices are prevalent in every household I’m sure a major problem we face with the "enhanced living" scenario is wiring. But no worries people, we have plenty of options out there that are quite capable of eradicating the said problem. Wi-Fi is the way to go boys and girls, so break out the trumpets and boom boxes for here comes Linksys' latest development the Wireless – G Music Bridge.
Design
What would you expect this to look like? I mean really. But let me tell you anyways. It's small lightweight and rectangular. It has an antenna on the right and... well that's it really. The three indicators located in the front are for the power, Ethernet and Wi-Fi signal connectivity.
At the rear you'll find the connections for – Audio (stereo obviously - RCA), 3.5mm line out, coaxial out and optical out. Then of course there's the Ethernet slot and adapter port (12VDC 500mA). Between them is tiny reset button that can be accessed using a pin.
Taking the Bridge
Let me explain how the Music Bridge works. In the simplest of terms, the bridge is connected to an Amplifier via RCA (from the audio out) or you also have the option of using the Line out. So you're wire would need to be a single 3.5 mm to RCA cable. The opposite ends would go into any of the amp channels.
So basically what the Bridge does is send signals to your Wi-Fi router or any other supported devices and you can comfortably listen to music on your PC or Laptop that's playing on your amp. Look Ma, no wires!
Parrot Range of Bluetooth Devices Launched
IDLDPL, distributors of lifestyle products in India, have announced the launch of 'Parrot range of Bluetooth Devices' in India. Parrot is a French company that offers Bluetooth technology in various car kits, plug-n-play kits and home products.
The company has introduced the Parrot Minikit- a Bluetooth enabled hands-free that features voice recognition and audio quality for voice-activated phoning in the car, at home or in the office. The device attaches itself to any part of the dashboard, to facilitate voice calls by the driver. The device has built-in two-watt high-fidelity speaker and a built-in omni-directional microphone supported by the latest DSP-2 signal processing technology.
According to representatives, Parrot Minikit is the only speakerphone in its category with advanced voice recognition technology. It allows users to set up their phone books with voice tags for the convenience and added control of true hands-free voice dialing, especially important when driving.
The device has upgradeable software to ensure compatibility with future mobile phones and can pair with up to five devices, each having 150 voice tags, and recognize multiple languages. Once paired, it will connect automatically with the users mobile and will work with virtually all Bluetooth-enabled mobile handsets on the market.
Parrot MINIKIT also features last-number redial. For privacy, users can switch a call from the Speakerphone to a mobile phone by simply pressing the green call button or the reverse to transfer a call back to speakerphone. The battery-powered Parrot Minikit is totally self-contained with no external wires or accessories. It weighs 3.5 ounces and measures 4.3 x 2.5 x 1.2 inches in size, as it is designed to fit in a pocket or a bag. It features 10 hours of talk time, more than one week of standby time and will fully recharge in only three hours and comes with both a 12V and 120V charging unit.
Surinder Saini Brand manager for Parrot of IDLDPL says, "Parrot Minikit Bluetooth hands-free features the latest generation of Digital Signal Processing, which enables crystal clear conversations in any situation. The users enjoys speaking on a mobile phone using this product without even bothering to taking the device near his mouth."
This product range is now available in the Indian market through most of the large retail stores and B2C websites, at Rs. 5990.
Asus Launches 802.11N Based Network Card
Asus which is well known for their motherboards seems to be branching out into different computer peripherals now.
Hot on the heels of the launch of their sound-card the Xonar D2; they have now announced WL-130N Super Speed N Wireless PCI Adapter. This network card is aimed at the desktop market and features full support for the new 802.11n draft 2.0 specifications. It also makes use of MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology to provide faster than 100 Mbps wired speeds and is fully compatible with legacy 802.11b and 802.11g standards.
Price and availability of this product is unknown as of right now.
Asus Launches Gaming LCD
ASUS India has launched the 19" PG191 LCD monitor with 1280 x 1024 resolution, 800:1 contrast ratio and 320nits brightness. The monitor incorporates the Super Bass System and fast 2ms gray-to-gray response time to deliver the audio and video performance demanded by hardcore gamers.
The black and silver PG191 comes with an aluminum alloy neck and circular base and glared panel frame and has flexible tilting and swivel angle adjustment. For gamers, the display contour is based on stealth bombers, and the subwoofer speakers at the back take on the shapes of tank cannons.
The PG191 comes with 2.1-channel speakers (2 x 10W speakers and 15W super bass system). Complemented by SRS Lab's Flagship TruSurround XT audio technology, the display supports the latest game titles' 5.1-and 6.1 channel sound standards.
The monitor incorporates Trace Free technology, which accelerates gray-to-gray response time to 2ms to enable smooth video quality.
The built-in 1.3 webcam and headphones and mic jacks together offer a total interactive solution for online gaming. The bundled Life Frame video communication software further lets users take snapshots and record video with ease. The monitor also has 3 USB 2.0 ports, and support for both DVI-D and D-SUB inputs.
The PG191 offers hot keys to activate its special audio modes — Standard, First-Person Shooting Games, RPG Games, Theater and Music and video modes —Standard, Scenery, Night View, Theater and Gaming.
The Asus PG191 is available with 3-year system and panel warranty, and 1-Year Zero Bright Dot Warranty for a price of Rs. 29,500+tax.
Benq FP222W LCD Monitor
In a recent review we had checked out Viewsonic‘s 22 inch widescreen LCD, the VG2230 WM and had found it to be good VFM. The product we are going to be reviewing today is Benq’s FP222W which is a 22-inch LCD panel. Benq’s specifications for the FP222W are similar to Viewsonic’s offering.Is the Benq able to keep up with the Viewsonic? Read on to find out.
Benq unlike other manufacturers does not like to vary the design and looks of its monitors. Like its 19-inch model, the FP92W comes with a black base and a silver bezel. The finish is quite average and the construction materials used, give it a somewhat blocky but sturdy look. If one compares it to the elegant Viewsonic, you would find that the Benq simply fades into the background. However the upside here is, unlike the Viewsonic which is a scratch and dust magnet, the Benq will age well.
The key placement of the FP222W like the FP92W is annoying. The keys are placed exactly at the same point on the left hand side of the body and for accessing them one has to either turn the monitor sideways or turn your head towards the keys. The keys are thick black plastic sturdy keys which look quite cheap. The construction material makes it difficult to grasp or push these keys easily and we found ourselves fumbling with the controls every time we had to make a slight change. The back of the monitor has the D-SUB and DVI-D ports.
The base of the FP222W is wide and rectangular and offers a limited degree of movement. There is no provision for increasing the height of the monitor. All in all, the monitor offers little in the way of customization to get the perfect viewing angle that we all desire. The Viewsonic in comparison is literally head and shoulders above in this department, with its height adjustable base and 360 degree swivel base.
Benq FP241W 24" LCD
A few years back owning an LCD monitor was a luxury with mainstream models cutting out at 17 inches. Now they are almost everywhere, with the 19-inch wide-screen models the current mainstream favorites. With the introduction of high definition content in the form of Blu-Ray and HD-DVD movies and HD games from Xbox360 and PS3 we have a new trend that is fast setting in — large screen LCD monitors that are capable of HD resolutions. It essentially starts from 20-inch monitors that have a native resolution of 1680 x 1050. We have with us the Benq FP241W, a 24-inch wide-screen LCD monitor with a native resolution of 1920x1200 that is also 1080p capable. Let’s have a closer look.
CeBIT 2007:ASUS Demonstrates 2ms Monitor
Asus seems to have made it a point of developing fantastic products that no one can afford... at least here in India. Over at CeBIT 2007, they have demonstrated their new gaming monitor called the PG221. This new 22-inch monitor has a native screen resolution of 1680x1050 and comes with a mindboggling response time of 2ms. Apart from that it has 3 USB hubs, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, 300cd/m2 brightness, touch-sensitive controls and a range of inputs including DVI, D-Sub, composite, S-Video and component.
Image Source: CNet
The monitor also sports an integrated 1.3 MP webcam, and a 2.1 audio speaker system that utilizes SRS TruSurround XT to achieve the effect of a 5.1. Release dates and pricing of the product remains unknown.
CeBIT 2007: Samsung Introduces USB Monitor
Samsung in some ways is a rather predictable company. Every year like clockwork, Samsung will demonstrate at least one product at CeBIT that will earn them a lot of praise for its technological implementation but will be totally unusable for anyone except a wealthy person or a research lab.
This year however at CeBIT 2007, they seem to have taken a more practical step. They have announced a new 19-inch LCD monitor called, the SyncMaster 940UX, which can be connected to a PC using only the USB port and therefore eliminates the need for a second graphic card. This new monitor has been designed for high-end users such as enthusiasts and graphic designers, who need to use a multi-monitor setup but can’t be bothered to add a new graphics card to their PC.
The monitor apart from its USB support also has DVI, D-SUB input ports in case a user wants to connect the monitor using conventional methods. An innovative feature the new monitor also adds to the mix, is the fact that the 940UX has embedded driver software that automatically installs a driver into a user's PC when the monitor and PC are connected.
The introduction of this monitor is a great move as USB is truly the king of plug-n-play solutions. While connecting a monitor is not rocket science, using a multi-monitor setup is a whole different ballgame. There is no common standard in graphic cards, for a multi-monitor setup and this makes the whole process quite difficult for a novice user. By using USB, Samsung has taken out the guess-work and made it into a practical solution.
Samsung To Launch 24-inch LCD with LED Backlight
Samsung Electronics today announced that, in the second quarter, it will begin producing a 24-inch LCD panel with an LED backlight that enables computer monitors to deliver color quality resembling high-quality TV sets available today.
With the new 24-inch LCD monitor display, technology-demanding consumers, professional graphics designers and digital photographers will enjoy the same true-to-life colors that premium LCD TVs can provide, thanks to Samsung's proprietary LED backlight. The LED-backlit monitor panel has an industry-high color saturation level of 111% (of NTSC standard) compared to a saturation level of only 72% of NTSC for conventional monitors.
The panel's 24-inch screen size is optimal for systems equipped with the Windows Vista operating system. While conventional thinking has been that Windows Vista works best with a 22-inch screen (the size of two A4 pieces of paper), 22 inches is not wide enough to support full-HD. In addition, industry experts now say that 24 inches provides a better Windows Vista fit to also include the Vista right side bar and margins.
The advent of Windows Vista and the spread of HD technology have accelerated the demand for wide-screen monitors delivering true-color imagery. Meanwhile, a steadily increasing number of consumers are using their monitors to watch high quality video images. Samsung's new 24-inch LCD display with its vivid colors represents one of the most advanced monitor screens available today to meet market needs.
The new monitor display also features Samsung's highly successful S-PVA (Super Patterned-ITO Vertical Alignment) technology that provides the widest viewing angle possible—180 degrees—at the highest contrast ratio for LCD monitors today (>1,000:1). It also supports WUXGA resolution (1,920x1,200 pixels), which is the computer equivalent to Full HD resolution.
The new display's backlight does not use mercury and is therefore is environmentally-friendly.
ViewSonic Launches 28-inch LCD
ViewSonic launched the first 28’’ LCD –VX2835wm with a fast 3ms response time in the US recently, to expand its growing widescreen, multimedia high-definition display portfolio. Owing to software and hardware applications being popularly utilized in current digital life, ViewSonic foresees big and wide screen LCD will be the most appropriate LCD to fit this trend.
The VX2835wm is the Microsoft Windows Vista" premium logo certified to ensure that the monitors' features are equally matched to the highest performance standards of Microsoft's new operating system. This allows users to realize the visual advantages of faster graphics processing speeds and the richer lighting, shadows and other visual qualities that are critical to true, high definition entertainment experiences.
The VX2835wm has an HDMI with HDCP input to provide clear, crisp, high definition, full HD images for enjoying diverse digital entertainment including IPTV, movies and digital photos. Superior picture performance is also delivered through the wide format of the displays, which gives people the extra room they need to view two 8.5 by 11-inch documents side-by-side, along with a navigational tool bar for quick, productive toggling, searching or editing. The integration of stereo speakers and power supply into the displays' curved, thin bezels also provides users with more room by freeing up desktop space.
"The importance of multitasking in digital lifestyles has spread from the office environment into the home, with consumers craving access to information and entertainment simultaneously," said Alan Chang, General Manager of ViewSonic Asia Pacific. "ViewSonic is leveraging innovation to enable consumers and professionals alike to view more diverse digital content at one time, without sacrificing high visual performance standards."
These standards include a fast 3 ms response time with ViewSonic ClearMotiv II technology, a 1920x1200 native resolution, 500 nits of brightness (typ) and a 1000:1 contrast ratio (typ). The VX2835wm also features a Opticolor technology which optimizes the color and skin tones within movies, games and photos. VX2835wm also features 3D deinterlacing technology which is able to provide superior picture quality through precision 3D interlacing, color processing and advanced scaling for smoother, sharper full-motion video with incredibly rich color.
In addition, VX2835wm provides multi-functional inputs to support a variety of digital content, including VGA, DVI-D, composite, S-Video, component interface. The display can be wall mounted, and are environmentally friendly with standby power consumption below one watt. VX2835wm will be on the market in the first or second week of May 2007.
Asus Launches 2 Vista-ready LCD Panels
Asus, looking to capitalize on the rapidly expanding widescreen monitor market has introduced two new HD-Ready models. These new models are the Asus MW2210, which is a 22-inch LCD and the Asus MW201U which is a 20-inch LCD. Both these new LCD panels have a native resolution of 1680x1050, a response time of 2ms and are HDCP ready.
The new monitors with the large screen sizes have, been designed to optimize a user's Windows Vista experience and have thus been certified as Windows Vista Premium ready. Asus also looking to extend the multimedia experience of these monitors, has equipped both these monitors with built-in stereo speakers and earphone jacks.
The MW201U is priced at Rs. 19,000 and the MW221U at Rs. 23,500.
5 Widescreen HD Monitors
The last time we had done this roundup, our focus had been purely on the advantages wide-screen monitors offer us. We had also restricted the no of monitors we had featured, due to the immaturity of the market at that point in time to just 3. However a fair bit of time has passed since then. The popularity of widescreen monitors since then has expanded exponentially. This has happened simply due to prices dropping everyday and with the advent of Windows Vista which is optimized for use with widescreen monitors. Keeping all these factors in mind this time round we have decided to expand our list to 5 monitors, to reflect the increased choice and easier availability of these products.
Here is our pick of the 5 best widescreen monitors that are HD compliant and available right now.
Asus MW221
Though Asus is well known for its motherboard and graphic cards, its monitor range has not achieved the same level of brand awareness, due to the cost of their products in India. We had reviewed one of their previous flagship models the Asus PW201 and had found it to be a segment topper, with its great features and amazing picture quality. It however was priced at an exorbitant Rs. 38,000 which put it out of reach of 99 percent of consumers. That price-point also had put it directly in competition, with much larger monitors and totally negated any advantages it might have enjoyed over the competition.
However Asus looks to be changing this state of affairs, with the launch of their latest lineup of widescreen monitors. One such monitor is the MW221, a 22 inch wide-screen monitor with a native resolution of 1680x1050 (16:10 Aspect ratio and 720p compliant) and a fantastic 2ms response time, which will completely eliminate any issues with ghosting of images. Another advantage that the MW221 will enjoy over its competition is its above-average contrast ratio of 700:1 and a brightness level of 300 cd/m2. When you add these features together, you get a monitor that is capable of some very vivid color output with excellent sharpness and clarity and virtually no lag in video.
Priced at Rs. 24,000 the MW221 is one of our top picks for a widescreen monitor today.
Sharp Eyes LCD Plant With Larger Motherglass
Sharp Corp., the world's third-largest LCD TV maker, said on Friday it would likely build a new LCD panel plant in Sakai, Osaka prefecture, and the final decision will be made by the end of July.
Sharp Chairman Katsuhiko Machida also said the company, which is using cutting-edge eighth-generation motherglass at its flagship LCD plant in Mie prefecture, western Japan, is looking into the possibility of using even larger glass at the new plant.
The comment follows a report by the Nikkei business daily on Saturday that Sharp has decided to build a $4 billion LCD (liquid crystal display) plant in Sakai to take on larger rivals Sony Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
"We naturally need to think about larger glass," Machida told reporters. "Introducing larger glass is technologically challenging. But that's how we can differentiate ourselves."
Larger motherglass yields more panels per glass, helping panel and TV makers cut costs and offer their products at competitive prices.
Building an advanced plant is important for Sharp's competitiveness as an LCD joint venture between Sony and Samsung plans to bring onstream its own eighth-generation plant this summer, matching Sharp's efficiency in making large-sized panels.
Asus MW221u
Widescreen monitors once the choice of enthusiasts and power users, have dropped in prices rapidly, and are now finding favor with consumers. Looking to gain a foothold in this rapidly increasing market, Asus has released the MW221u with a response time lower than the competition and at gamers and professionals. How does this panel stack up to the competition? Read on...
The MW221u is one of the most solidly constructed monitors we have come across in the 22-inch range. Like the PW201, we reviewed earlier, the MW221u comes with a very solid metal base, a shiny piano-black bezel on the outer edge of the monitor and a thick plastic frame which runs around the edges of the LCD panel. Asus seems to have paid particular attention to this frame, as it appears to have been constructed out of a more sturdy plastic that is normally used for frames. The bottom edge of the monitor which houses the OSD buttons is enclosed in a thin metal frame adding to the air of solidness this monitor seems to have. Just beneath this metal frame, lies the speaker grill which is hidden away. We appreciate this touch, as other manufacturers often stick the speaker grill on the front side of the monitor and more often than not this spoils the whole presentation of the monitor. Overall the monitor with its polished bezel, toughened plastic and hidden speaker grill projects an image of a tough reliable product.
ViewSonic Unveils 22-inch LCD With Webcam
ViewSonic has launched a new range of 22-inch LCDs, the VX2255wmb/wmh - that include a bezel mounted 1.3M pixel Webcam and microphone. The widescreen displays, built on the Windows Vista platform, provide consumers with display options that suit today's digital lifestyle and meet the needs of the growing number of virtual office workers.
"ViewSonic introduced several monitor industry firsts in 2006, including LCD monitors with 2ms response times and built-in iPod docking stations," said Alan Chang, general manager of ViewSonic Asia Pacific. "We are again leading the way in meeting digital lifestyle trends and customers needs by integrating features, such as easily accessible USB ports and webcams as well as voice and video recording into these innovative display offerings. "
The integrated Webcam and built-in microphone take advantage of the growing use of VOIP, like Skype, as well as instant messengers, like MSN messenger, Yahoo! messengers, and make the displays apt for communicating with family, friends or remote business partners. A 1680x1050 high-definition resolution creates clear, crisp images, while an ultra-fast 5ms response time prevents ghosting and blurring to enhance, video conversations, movie watching and gaming. The 22-inch viewing area of the widescreen displays enable multitasking, such as viewing multiple documents or applications without toggling.
The VX2255wmb/wmh offer a variety of ergonomic and health benefits, including 3.2-inches of height adjustment and a full 360-degree of swivel that allows the displays to be adjusted to suit each individual's needs.
The VX2255wmb/wmh is now available at a price of Rs. 29,900 with a three year warranty.
ViewSonic Unveils 22-inch LCD With Webcam
ViewSonic has launched a new range of 22-inch LCDs, the VX2255wmb/wmh - that include a bezel mounted 1.3M pixel Webcam and microphone. The widescreen displays, built on the Windows Vista platform, provide consumers with display options that suit today's digital lifestyle and meet the needs of the growing number of virtual office workers.
"ViewSonic introduced several monitor industry firsts in 2006, including LCD monitors with 2ms response times and built-in iPod docking stations," said Alan Chang, general manager of ViewSonic Asia Pacific. "We are again leading the way in meeting digital lifestyle trends and customers needs by integrating features, such as easily accessible USB ports and webcams as well as voice and video recording into these innovative display offerings. "
The integrated Webcam and built-in microphone take advantage of the growing use of VOIP, like Skype, as well as instant messengers, like MSN messenger, Yahoo! messengers, and make the displays apt for communicating with family, friends or remote business partners. A 1680x1050 high-definition resolution creates clear, crisp images, while an ultra-fast 5ms response time prevents ghosting and blurring to enhance, video conversations, movie watching and gaming. The 22-inch viewing area of the widescreen displays enable multitasking, such as viewing multiple documents or applications without toggling.
The VX2255wmb/wmh offer a variety of ergonomic and health benefits, including 3.2-inches of height adjustment and a full 360-degree of swivel that allows the displays to be adjusted to suit each individual's needs.
The VX2255wmb/wmh is now available at a price of Rs. 29,900 with a three year warranty.
Viewsonic VX2835WM
Big is in! This seems to be the mantra, which monitor manufacturers have adopted. 24-inch monitors, which we had thought would hold the tag of “King of LCD Monitors for End-Users” for at least sometime have now been overhauled. Viewsonic recently launched a new 28” LCD panel with a 3ms response time, a host of connectivity options and a true HD resolution of 1920x1200. How does this monitor fare? Let’s find out.
One big grouse we have against Viewsonic is their singular lack of imagination, when it comes to product design. The VX2835WM maybe big but in its looks it’s no different than any of its predecessors i.e. the VX2235WM. The body still sports the piano black finish on its bezel and is lined with a muted silver edge that gives it a decent appearance. While the overall appearance of the monitor is sleek, the piano black finish is a fingerprint magnet and can get smudged very easily. We would have preferred a more laidback or traditional matte finish on the bezel, as this would have prevented smudging and would have weathered better.
In a good move forward, Viewsonic has reverted to having standard recessed plastic buttons on the front of the monitor for controlling the OSD. These are nice and chunky and make accessing or scrolling through the OSD an easy job. This is a good departure from the VG2230WM model, which had silver buttons on the side of the monitor that were guaranteed to give RSI to anyone attempting to use them. The bottom of the monitor sports a very large and extensive multimedia speaker grill, which is again a design carry over from previous models.
The back of the monitor is where things really begin to heat up. Keeping in mind the size of the screen, Viewsonic has equipped the VX2835WM with every possible video input method. The monitor supports D-Sub, HDMI, Composite, Component and S-Video. In case you are wondering why there is no DVI present, it’s because Viewsonic in a curious but excellent move, has provided a DVI to HDMI cable. This way they have eliminated the need, for a DVI-D slot on the monitor and one extra cable. It also solves an HDCP related problem. HDCP only allows you to have one digitally trusted source for next generation content such as Blu-Ray. If DVI-D had been present natively and connected, HDCP would have kicked in and bumped the video down back to the horrible 480p format. By utilizing HDMI for both PC display and video playback, the HDCP related problem has been eliminated.
Samusung Unveils 30" LCD With DisplayPort
Samsung who has been quiet on the PC LCD panel front for sometime now, has just announced the development of a 30-inch LCD panel with support for Displayport. Displayport is a VESA endorsed upgrade and is intended as a replacement for DVI, LVDS and VGA. The Displayport interface is technically very impressive as it is capable of transmitting graphics data at a total data rate of 10.8Gbps enabling 2560x1600 resolution without any color smear.
Img courtesy Engadget
Not only is Samsung’s panel capable of achieving the Displayport bandwidth, it also features 1000:1 contrast ratio, 6ms response time, 300 cd/m2 brightness, and 180 degrees viewing angle. Samsung will start mass production of the 30-inch panel from the second quarter of 2008.