Astro A40 Audio Gaming Headset Review: Great sound, but lacks iPod adjust
Consisting of a headset and a dedicated mixer and amplifier, the Astro A40 Audio Gaming System is geared towards Xbox and PC gamers who want solid surround sound without violating municipal noise ordinances.
The Good: Headset is comfortable, great sound, and fairly attractive to boot. Dolby Surround support.
The Bad: Some noise leaking from the headset. Balance on the Mixer will only handle game and voice volume, so you have to adjust your iPod manually.
The Bottomline: The MixAmp’s best feature is the Dolby Surround support, pumping surround audio in a multi-channel setup, or simulating it on standard stereo headphones. So even if you’d rather stick to your own headset, you can still get (faux) surround sound. Read more
Share ThisCyberLink PowerDirector 7 Review: Excellent editing tools, great effects
The CyberLink PowerDirector 7 Ultra is an impressive improvement in the quality of the all-around consumer-video-editing application, making it worthy of PCMag Editors’ Choice for consumer video editing.
The Good: Can share title, DVD template, and objects over the Internet. Good capture, trimming tools. Very good corrective effects, performance, multicore CPU utilization. Lots of artistic effects. Can search, input, and use Flickr images.
The Bad: Didn’t recognize a Panasonic AG-HSC1UP AVCHD camcorder.
The Bottomline: Excellent across-the-board functionality and usability, and the best choice in the consumer editing field. Read more
Share ThisiHome iPod Alarm Clock Review: Great Alarm features; too bass heavy
The iHome iH12BR is an iPod dock, alarm clock, AM/FM radio and stereo speakers all in one compact black box that comes with a remote.
The Good: Alarm features are fine. The remote is useful for fiddling with it from across the room, and the unit even has a battery backup in case your power goes out.
The Bad: Fairly bass heavy. Controls are slightly less intuitive than we’d like.
The Bottomline: iHome iH12BR iPod Alarm Clock works pretty much as expected. It’s a pretty great all-in-one iPod speaker and alarm clock combination that should work well in most bedrooms. Read more
Share ThisPanasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Review: Great optics; Zoom and battery disappoint
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18K offers an 18X optical zoom, a 28mm wide-angle lens, and a host of manual controls for a very reasonable price ideal for amateur photographers.
The Good: Excellent 18X optical zoom Leica lens. Burst mode returns clear photos.
The Bad: Zoom disabled in video mode. Battery life is disappointing.
The Bottomline: Decently priced megazoom is a great learning tool for point-and-shoot graduates. Read more
Share ThisCanon Rebel XS DSLR Review: Uses newer Digic III Chip, improved battery life
The new Rebel, which replaces the XTi as the baby of its dSLR line, retains the 10-megapixel CMOS and 2.5-inch LCD, while moving up to the body of the more recent XSi. The new level entry cam from Canon will ship with the image stabilized version of the EF-S 18-55mm lens.
The Good: Retains the 10-megapixel CMOS and 2.5-inch LCD. Uses the newer Digic III processing chip. Camera also adds Live View mode. Improved battery life.
The Bad: Some differences in photo quality, especially at higher ISO sensitivities.
The Bottomline: The new Canon Rebel XS till looks like a signficant threat to its primary competitor, the Nikon D60, which only has three AF points. Read more
Share ThisCanon Rebel XS Reviewed: Threatens the Nikon D60 with its new features
The new Rebel, which replaces the XTi as the baby of its dSLR line, retains the 10-megapixel CMOS and 2.5-inch LCD, while moving up to the body of the more recent XSi. The new level entry cam from Canon will ship with the image stabilized version of the EF-S 18-55mm lens.
The Good: Retains the 10-megapixel CMOS and 2.5-inch LCD. Uses the newer Digic III processing chip. Camera also adds Live View mode. Improved battery life.
The Bad: Some differences in photo quality, especially at higher ISO sensitivities.
The Bottomline: The new Canon Rebel XS till looks like a signficant threat to its primary competitor, the Nikon D60, which only has three AF points. Read more
Share ThisScandyna Audio System Review: Slick sound and looks; pretty pricey
The Scandyna Drop Speakers + Amp look rad just sitting on a table or desk, but they can also be hung from a ceiling for extra-groovy audio action, adding some more serious punch.
The Good: Gold kevlar cones look and sound slick. Patch up to four different audio sources into the amp. Big push button dial doubles as input selector and volume knob.
The Bad: No dock for iPod means no remote control of tracks. You could buy a decent used motorcycle for the price of this system.
The Bottomline: This is one of the best-sounding small speaker systems we’ve seen in many years. But hey, the super loud volume and the high price tag can be such a turn off. Read more
Share ThisSony Rolly Reviewed: Amusing Robotic dancing egg
Sony’s controversial Rolly is a robotic dancing egg that is also an MP3 player. Some just love it for being so silly, others seem not to get it and say this is just a pricey musical toy for gadget heads who have everything–including some cash to burn. Read more
Samsung Instinct Reviewed: Slick touch phone rivals the iPhone
The Instinct is basically Samsung’s reinvention of the iPhone idea: a slick-looking, touch-driven, multimedia handheld that brings a lot of non-phone features to the front, without being a full-fledged smartphone. The Good: Good voice quality and music and video playback features. Fun to use. Read more
Flip Mino Digital Camcorder Reviewed: Smaller yet edgier Flip
The newest version of Flip’s cheap, portable, super-simple video camera is actually smaller that its predecessors. Weighing in at at only 3.3 ounces, the Flip Mino is a much prettier and cooler version, perfect for the YouTube generation. Read more
