Gaming

High-Def DVD Viewing is a Bonus Feature

As Dave pointed out earlier, when prices go through the floor on high-def DVD players, it’s easier to ignore the HD format war and pick up some hardware for a little extra HD viewing pleasure. However, I wouldn’t have guessed that a large percentage of folks get their high-definition DVD playing capabilities as merely a … Read more

Sony PS3 VOD Confirmed For Early 2008

Sony may not be winning with gamers, and lags rival Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE Marketplace in the race to own the living room media hub. But they’re not sitting still either: Word came earlier this year that Sony intends to offer Playstation 3 video downloads, and that day has nearly arrived… in Japan. According to Variety, … Read more

PSP Game Download Store Launches

I was fired up when I read about Sony’s new PSP web-based game download service last week. In fact, I’d expected Sony to take advantage of the PSP’s WiFi connectivity much earlier to provide both game downloads and video downloads, leveraging their catalog of movie and television content. But, therein lies the rub… The new … Read more

Giving Thanks For Disposable Income

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Ah yes, it’s that time of year again. I’m told these winter traditions were once about family, related to historical and religious events. But I’m only aware of breaking out the plastic to get some serious shopping done.

Today, once referred to as Thanksgiving, is Black Friday Eve – when merchant circulars showcasing tomorrows deals hit – and in keeping with tradition, I do give thanks. Many specials have been leaked online in the weeks leading up to the big event, but what’s new this year is that many deals are available via the web (as early as: RIGHT NOW) without waiting for that blasphemous Cyber Monday.

So what are we getting?

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Deck the Malls with Sony

I’ve learned to take my camera with me whenever I hit the local King of Prussia mall — every few months something interesting pops up. This weekend it was a new Sony holiday display. Display is probably too mild a word as the footprint of this thing is probably two thirds the size of my … Read more

The Darker Side of Xbox Live

Major Nelson, the voice of Xbox LIVE, is taking a hard line and reminding folks not to share accounts or tamper with acheivements:

As you can imagine, we know how to find out if you do this and we do take action. Even worse, you might have your account and/or console banned from Xbox Live.

I’m all for fair play but, in the grander scheme of things, who really cares how Achievements are met? Especially in light of Microsoft’s much bigger Xbox LIVE problem… I’m talking about the profanity. It’s primarily a verbal problem, but I’ve also encountered questionable Gamertags. Dropping F-bombs in the heat of battle doesn’t bother me (parents may feel differently) and I know I’m guilty of the occasional curse word slip, but hearing tweens/teens repeatedly using the N word or from others wanting to kill Jews and homosexuals is just unpleasant. Regardless of intent (No, Junior. You’re not funny.), it takes away from my gaming enjoyment. I wish I could say these incidents were unusual but, in a casual calculation, 1/4 – 1/3 of Shadowrun Live rounds contained a notable amount of adult language and/or verbal unpleasantries. In fact, if I had children, I wouldn’t let them anywhere near Xbox LIVE with a headset.

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Digital Media Bytes

A periodic roundup of relevant news… from our other blogs. Live TV on the Internet: Connected Home 2 Go Security Questions For A Digital TV World: Davis Freeberg’s Digital Connection VOD Libraries More Double: Connected Home 2 Go Finding Worthy Nintendo Wii Games: Brent Evans Geek Tonic TV Caller ID Proves Popular: Connected Home 2 … Read more