The SD memory card slot and FM radio endowed portable media playing beauty that is the Creative Zen has just recieved a price slash on its 4gb and 8gb models to make room for the 32gb addition to the family. This is good news for anyone considering one of these players.
New prices are as follows:
Save as pdf.
Available in a range of colours and a couple of sizes the new Zen Stone (isn’t it technically a pebble) and Zen Stone Plus come with a built-in speaker and a free skin case with a clip.
I’ve always been somewhat skeptical of players with built-in speakers, they don’t quite compare to delivering sound directly to ones eardrums and seem somewhat gimicky. However, there must be a market for them somewhere.
Save as pdf.
If you’ve ever stared, misty-eyed through your computer case window at your plain boring old RAM and concluded “Wouldn’t it be awesome if that RAM were red and adorned with flashing lights” then this is your lucky day. Crucial have the answer to your prayers in the form of candy-apple red Ballistix Tracer RAM, not only is it fast but it’s obnoxiously pretty too and takes you one step closer to making the inside of your case finally look like Blackpool at night.
At first I thought this was part of the Product RED movement, but evidently Crucial just want to jump on the band-wagon without actually doing so.
Save as pdf.
Dubbed the “DAV-DZ BRAVIA” range of home cinema systems these new one-box systems are designed to compliment the latest BRAVIA televisions and, as a Bravia ownr telling from the pictures alone, they appear to do the job. The DAV-DZ260, DZ560, DZ660 and DZ860w all replicate the black and silver trimmed design aesthetic of my Bravia W series.
If you were wondering what the “w” is for in DZ860w, Sony have added wireless rear speakers driven by their S-AIR wireless technology, this is great news for people who don’t want to rip up carpets to conceal cables.
Save as pdf.
As much as I object to the use of the word “cyber” outside of early 80s-90s science fiction movies Sony are really on to someting with the Titanium coated Cyber-shot W300.
Not only is it, theoretically, scratch resistant in the places coated by titanium but it’s also absolutely beautiful. Sony have gone for an exceptionally refined single tone design that isn’t broken up by harsh bands of what other manufacturers would call “styling”. Not only that but it also packs an impressive 13.6 mega pixel resolution a 2.7 inch LCD and a high definition video output. As if we ever needed any more reason than looks to pick one up.
Save as pdf.
Archos have brought their portable media players to the home cinema in the form of the TV Plus, an underwhelming cluster of missed opportunities and wallet draining add-ons.
It’s very difficult to know where to start with the Archos TV+, I’ll readily admit to glancing over reviews and coverage of the device at other outlets and haven’t really found anything that scratches the surface of just how poor the TV+ actually is, and certainly not anything that makes a concerted effort to ensure consumers don’t waste their hard earned £300 on a fully loaded 250gb model. I am going to attempt to rectify this by detailing my experiences with the TV+.
I would apologize to Archos in advance for writing such a scathing, sometimes slightly exaggerated article but as they had the nerve to construct this piece of crap in the first place and somehow thought I might have something good to say about it I don’t think they deserve any such pleasantries.
Save as pdf.
Just when I thought the Roland Juno-D couldn’t possibly get any better Roland have thrown a curve ball and crammed more awesome sounds into their already incredibly good value for money package. This might be somewhat dissapointing for anyone who has just bought a vanilla Juno-D, but remember you’ve still bought into the best budget Synth on the market.
The Roland Juno-D Limited Edition, looks and feels the same as the regular Juno-D, the only difference is in the sounds. Roland have packed in a realistic multi-sampled 88-note piano which puts the Juno-Ds old piano patches to shame and sounds exceptionally good for such a low-end synth. (Yes, I have tested it for myself) The piano patch isn’t the only new sound, however, the Juno-D limited edition also boasts new organ patches recorded by none other than Jon Lord plus some vintage synth sounds and electric pianos. Some of the new synth sounds are excellent and do exceptionally well to compliment the Juno-D’s already fantastic set of sounds.
If you’ve been eyeing the Juno-D then the Limited Edition should really be the icing on the cake for you. I will either be replacing or complimenting my existing Juno-D with this beauty shortly.
Save as pdf.
For the aspiring, mobile and professional computer DJs Numark have got three potential solutions for you. Total, Mobile and Professional. These are all, if the “in a box” didn’t give you a clue, one box DJ solutions that eliminate the need to choose software, a controller, an audio interface and headphones.
Save as pdf.
Akai have released another high end entry into the MIDI controller fray in the form of the MPK49 which boasts 12 MPC Drum Pads and a 49-key semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch in addition to the usual combination of knobs and faders totaling up to 76 assignable controls.
It’s in the same ballpark as the Novation Remote SL series and those drum pads could just place it first for many musicians. The MPK49 also has an onboard arpeggiator which is handy if your sequencer either doesn’t have one or you find it complex or inconvenient to use.
The Akai MPK49 is currently in stock at Digital Village or you can check out Froogle for a range of prices/retailers.
Save as pdf.
Review by Johnus Maximus
In a world where the forces of light and darkness have exchanged ownership of the world in a pact that has existed for eons, a war began when Nibel the Lord of Light decided that no more will the forces of darkness consume and distort his creations. Reneging on his deal, Nibel incurred the wrath of his counterpart - Encablossa, the Lord of Darkness, who promptly amassed his Dark Legion, a horde intent on attacking and destroying the denizens of world ruled by light. A time came where a small band of heroes rose up and defeated the demonic Encablossa. Upon doing so they became trapped in the dark dimension.
Read the rest of this post »
Save as pdf.