Yamaha YHT-494

If you want to create a home theatre  at your home, the one thing that will make or brake the deal is the sound. Its really the icing on the cake. lets say you don't have much of a budget left after buying your 70 inch plasma. so what could you buy without braking the bank.  The Yamaha YHT- 494 will be perfect for you. You can bag this baby for under 500$ which is exceptional value for money.
The YHT-494 is a five channel home theater system powered by the Yamaha HTR-3063 receiver. Channel surround sound is provided by a slim horizontal center speaker for left/center/right front channels, two small satellites for left /right rear channels, and a subwoofer with phase in/out switch for the bass frequencies. The Sound output is very good and Impressive.

The  phase in/out switch  lets you invert the phase of the signal if the bass sounds too muddy, and, 9 subwoofer crossover frequencies can be selected from the receiver each sending a specific range of the audio spectrum to the sub so you can decide which is best. The receiver offers many inputs and outputs including an iPod port for connecting an optional iPod dock, 4 S-Video inputs with one on the front panel, 2 Component Video inputs and 1 Component output, and 4 digital inputs via 2 Coaxial and 2 Optical. It also has a 1080p compatible HDMI repeater with four inputs and one output so you can have four sources connected at once. Power handling is rated at 500W total or 5 times 100W, and digital audio conversion a maximum of 192 kHz/24 bit. A front audio input jack is located next to the front av inputs, and Bluetooth capability is supported when using the optional Yamaha YBA-10 wireless audio receiver.

The system is good for a normal size room and even a large  room but not a very giant room. If thats the case then don't go for this.  But if you  have a normal room which is most people have for a entertainment room this will perform very good.  You can invite your friends over and they will be  amazed by the clarity of your system (Provided that your friend does not have a 5000$ system) But even in that case he will be impressed that you got so much at this price.

Features

HTR-3063 Receiver
Channels: 5.1
RMS Output Power (1kHz): 100 W x 5 (8 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.9% THD)
HDMI 3D Capable
Dolby Digital EX / Dolby Pro Logic IIx
DTS-ES Discrete 6.1
9 Selectable Subwoofer Crossover Frequencies
D/A Conversion: 192 kHz/24 bit
HDMI (In/Out): 4/1
Component Video (In/Out): 2/1
A/V Inputs (S-Video): 4(composite, one on front panel)
Digital Inputs/Outputs [O: Optical, C: Coaxial]: (O: 2, C: 2)
Front Mini Input for Portables
Bluetooth Compatibility: With Optional YBA-10
iPod Compatibility: With Optional YDS 11/12
Compressed Music Enhancer
Auto Power Down
Learning Remote Capability: Preset
Surround Programs: 17

Speakers
Subwoofer: 6 1/2" 100W
Center Speaker: 1-1/2” x 3-3/4” Cone x 3
Satellites: 2-1/2" cone full-range driver
Tabletop Speaker Stands

System
Total Power: 600W including subwoofer
Cabinet Type: Plastic
Finish: Black
Dimensions: 31-1/8" x 18-3/8" x 21-3/8"
Weight: 51.8 lb

In short if you want good value for money, this is the home theatre for you. In case of any  questions or comments just email me or leave a comment.

Vizio Tablet

Vizio Tablet

If you are looking for a tablet but dont want to get the ipad then this is another alternative to the ever changing and ever growing tablet market. The Vizio Tablet is the TV/LCD display company's first tablet product.
It runs the Android OS with some impressive hardware and features. Starting with the display, the Vizio Tablet boasts a 8 inch XGA (1024x768) capacitive multi-touch screen which is the same resolution as the Apple iPad.

Inside, the Vizio tablet is advertised to have a "1GHz+" processor along with 4GB of internal memory as well as a microSD card slot for further memory additions. Other features include a micro USB port, HDMI output, and stereo speakers with SRS surround sound emulation. It is also interesting to note that the Vizio tablet has an infrared emitter which means it can be used as a universal remote for TVs when paired with certain Android applications. Lastly there is also a front facing camera for video chat. The Vizio Tablet is a feature rich product aimed at people who want all the features of the Ipad and then some.

Features / Specifications
Android OS
8'' XGA (1024x768) Multi-touch LCD display
1GHz Processor
4GB internal memory
MicroSD card slot
Micro USB port, infrared emitter, HDMI out
Stereo speakers with SRS surround sound (software emulated)
Front facing video camera

The sound quality on the product was very good and the tablet felt very good to hold in the hands due to the good quality of plastics. This product has a lot going for it so take a look at it if you are buying a tablet.

As usual if you have any questions or comments just email me or leave a comment

Nokia to use Windows Phone 7

This was a shock to everyone but its true, Nokia has made a pact with Microsoft and will use the windows phone 7 on its future phones. We never thought Nokia will do this and even I thought that Nokia will keep working on symbian as it always has and also put on meego.
    According to sources Nokia will not scrap the symbian which was the largest selling smartphone OS till last year and true it has been hit this year by android. Maybe thats the reason for Nokia to take such a step.
   Expect the symbian line up of phones to still come up and more and more improvements to come on them, and a separate lineup of Windows 7 phones.
   Many of you wrote into me asking what will happen if i am a symbian user, will i stop getting support from Nokia?  Well even I am a power symbian user currently and had the same question. on talking with some people at Nokia I was assured that I don't have to worry and that I will get support, and that Nokia is not scrapping Symbian, just adding windows 7 phones to the lineup.

As usual if you have any questions or comments just email me or leave a comment    

Test Drive Unlimited 2

I have been playing this game for the past week and have to say that its very addictive. The game is really amazing. If you are into cars then look no further  go buy this game,  you wont regret it.

There are many aspect to this game. Its based in two islands one is Ibiza and the other one is Hawaii. Both of these places are very vast, and when I mean vast i do mean it. It makes the map in just cause 2 look small. The Islands are very well designed and you will have fun going around it. The detailing is not that great but for a map this vast its very good.

                                                                    Ibiza map
The thing I like is that this game tried to give you a virtual life like a Avatar and then there are homes and properties and then there are cars.  There is online play where you can tally your scores with your online friends. you can also race with them and hold events.

The game still has a lot of things you can do offline. the only thing that is based online in the completion is the social aspect. There is still the collection and the discovery the winnings in the race and outside events.

The thing I love the most in the game is the detail in the cars and how you get a total feel of the car as though you are driving it.  Like if you are in a car that has a retractable roof you can actually use it and retract it. You can open the power windows. You can use the side indicators, You can use the headlights. etc. Even when you are going to buy a car you can customize its color, its rims , its interior as though you are really buying it from the showroom.

There are cars from every era and every kind, just look at the car list

Alfa Roméo 8C Competizione
Alfa Roméo Brera Italia Independent
Alfa Roméo MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde
Alfa Roméo 8c Spider
Alfa Roméo Delta Integrale Evoluzione
Ariel Atom 300 Supercharged
Ariel Atom 500 V8
Ascari A10
Ascari KZ1 R Limited Edition
Aston Martin DB9 Coupe
Aston Martin DBS Coupe
Aston Martin DB9 Volante
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Aston Martin V12 Vantage
Aston Martin One-77
Audi Q7 V12 TDI Quattro
Audi R8 Coupé 5.2 FSI Quattro
Audi RS 6 Avant
Audi S3
Audi S5 Coupé
Audi TTS Coupé
Audi TT RS Roadster
Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI Quattro
Bugatti Veyron 16,4
Bugatti Veyron 16,4 Grand Sport
Chevrolet Camaro 2SS ou Camaro SS
Hummer H3
Chevrolet Camaro 1LT ou Camaro LT
Corvette C1
CITROËN 2 CV
Dodge Charger SRT8
Dodge Viper SRT10
Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole
Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
Ferrari California
Ferrari Dino 246 GTS
Ferrari Enzo
Ferrari 430 Scuderia
Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M
Ferrari 599 GTO
Ferrari FXX "Evoluzione"
Ferrari 458 Italia
Ford Mustang Fastback
Ford GT
Ford Mustang GT
Gumpert Apollo sport
Jaguar D-Type
Jaguar E-Type
Jaguar XKR
Range Rover Sport
Koenigsegg CCXR Edition
Lotus 2-Eleven
Lotus Esprit S3
Lotus Evora
Mercedes 300 SL GullWing
Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series
Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG
Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722s
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss
McLaren MP4-12C
Nissan 370Z
Nissan GT-R
Zonda Cinque
Zonda F

In total 67 cars

So as you can  see this game has attention to detail and it has it in spades. When you want o take a pic in the game (which you do have to do in some missions) you can do things like you would do in a professional DSLR camera. The properties that you buy have ability to edit furniture and placement etc.

So read no further just go and buy the game. It will provide you with Months of good value and then there is the online usage so this  will always be a blast.       

As usual if you have any comments or questions just email me or leave me a comment.

Sony Ericsson XPERIA Arc

Sony Ericsson XPERIA Arc

This Phone is from a family of very beautiful phones from Sony  called the Xperia. Now sony was calling the xperia x10 on which this phone is based the size 0 phone. So this would be -1 then. Jokes apart this phone is very slim in fact unbelievably slim and is a real head turner, in fact its even too slim if you can all it. lets quickly head to the review.

Design- Well what can I say, its just 8.5 mm in thickness at its thinnest part so for a phone this big its very thin. This is one of the  phones that I am very pleased with in terms of build quality. The phone feels very steady to hold in your hands and feels good. the only issue is that the screen is a fingerprint magnet. But that's a small price to pay for stunning looks. The phone does have a scratch resistant surface, good to know that your investment is safe.

Features. - The biggest feature of this phone like the other xperia is the time scape. Sony have really pulled it off when it comes to this. If you are a social networking person who is always staying online on multiple accounts, it wont get any better than this. The phone uses the bravia engine for its display and the display looks really sharp and have no issues with it. Watching hi def videos on the device is very good. The phone feels faster than the xperia x10 and surely is a improvement from it. The Battery life was ok for a phone screen this big.

Things I didn't like -  The first thing is that even though this is a flagship model of sony still there was no front camera, so no video calling. This s a turnoff cause now-a-days even the sub 100$ phones have them. I don't know why sony did this. I was also disappointed by the camera quality. Even though its a 8 mega pixal camera it was not able to take good photos. Even a nokia phone with a good 5 megapixal was able to get better and sharper Images than it.

Have a look at the full detailed specifications-      

  

Network support GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
               HSDPA 900 / 2100
                 HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800 (2g and 3G support)


Size Dimensions 125 x 63 x 8.7 mm
Weight 117 g
Display Type LED-backlit LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size 480 x 854 pixels, 4.2 inches
Features
- Scratch-resistant surface
- Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate
- Multi-touch input method
- Sony Mobile BRAVIA Engine
- Proximity sensor for auto turn-off
- Timescape UI
- Has 3.5mm jack
-Call records Practically unlimited
Memory Internal 512 MB RAM
       Card slot microSD, up to 32GB, 8 GB included
Data GPRS Up to 86 kbps
EDGE Up to 237 kbps
3G HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, DLNA
Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP
USB Yes, v2.0 microUSB
Camera Primary 8 MP, 3264x2448 pixels, autofocus, LED flash.
Features Touch focus, image stabilization, geo-tagging, face and smile detection
Video Yes, 720p@30fps
OS Android OS, v2.3 (Gingerbread)
CPU 1GHz Scorpion processor, Adreno 205 GPU, Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon
Messaging SMS (threaded view), MMS, Email, Push email, IM
Browser HTML
Radio Stereo FM radio with RDS
Colors Midnight Blue, Misty Silver
GPS with A-GPS support


Battery Standard battery, Li-Po 1500 mAh
Stand-by Up to 430 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G)
Talk time Up to 7 h (2G) / Up to 7 h (3G)
Music play Up to 31 h

So what do I  think of this phone. Well  is you are looking for a phone for just social networking ( I know there are cheaper phones for that) and you want a phone that is stunning to look at and you don't mind paying the price then go and get this phone.  I know its not value for money but then that's not who this phone is aimed it.

As usual  any comments or questions just email me or leave a comment.

Grado PS1000

If you are One of those guys who is into music and you need nothing but the Best then this Grado PS1000 is the one for you.  Introduced in March 2009, the PS1000 is the second high end circumaural headphone, and current flagship from Grado Labs. Featuring the same oversized pads and body design as the previous flagship the GS1000, the PS1000 features an enclosure with a metal exterior and a wooden interior for the combined qualities both materials exert on the sound signature.The quality of materials used in the headphones is great and keeps you comfy even through long extended use.you will never get that irritating effect as the headphones do give you a open feel.

Considered by the majority of those lucky enough to hear them to be the best Grado has designed (including such rarities as the PS1 and HP-1000). The PS1000 also feature a price tag to match. At $1700, the PS1000 match other high end flagship headphones such as the HD800.  I know that the price is a bit steep but this is for a headphones from one of the best company's so you cant argue. The sound quality is thus far the best I have ever listened to from a Headphones if not any device. It comes with a great travel box and a very long cable to use with any device.

This is a device for the serious listener for who money is no object and it does not get any better than this. As usual if you have any questions or any comments just email me or leave a comment

Razer BlackWidow Ultimate

If you are a a serious gamer then you need to have this and trust me it is the best when I say best i do mean it.
The Razer BlackWidow Ultimate is one of two wired, USB-based mechanical keyboards designed for serious gamers. It builds from the original BlackWidow by adding backlit keys with five levels of lighting, a 3.5mm audio output, a microphone input, and an extra USB port for USB pass-through.I was a big fan of the BlackWidow that this keyboard is based on and this is a very good improvement on that. The lights looks great and even in the day look cool.

Like its predecessor, the Ultimate hosts a a tactile mechanical key architecture that, it feels much like a mouse click. This means less user fatigue, but greater precision and accuracy. You wont have those issues like pressing a button and not knowing if it worked. In addition, every key is programmable with on-the-fly macro recording, though there are There are also 5 additional macro keys and support for up to 10 user profiles.

Features
Mechanical Keyboard
Optimized Key Actuation Force (50g)
1000Hz Ultrapoling
1ms Response Time
Fully Programmable, Backlit Keys
On-the-Fly Macro Recording
Five Additional Gaming Keys
10 Customizable Software Profiles
Braided Cable
Audio/Mic Jacks
Two USB Ports
USB-Passthrough
Windows Only Compatibility

This is meant for serious gamers and if you cast yourself into that category than you need to have this, besides it will look really cool with your kick ass pc and is the finishing touch to any Gaming pc. As usual if you have any questions or have any comments just email me or leave a comment.