With Blu-Ray, You

EXPERIENCEBLU With the arrival of the DMP-BD10 Blu-ray (BD) disc player, With Blu-ray, you can: Panasonic is proud to bring you the first in a family of Blu-ray products designed to enhance your entertainment Watch video in full High Definition experience. (1080p) quality in the new, superior MPEG-4 video codecs High Definition Blu-ray discs come in the same form factor as existing CDs and video looks crisper, the colour definition DVDs but allow for greater storage – up to 50GB on a dual-layer BD and detail far better than that offered on disc, or five/ten times as much as a regular DVD. The extra capacity DVD discs. makes BD discs perfect for High Definition video playback. Listen to DVD-Audio quality sound and take advantage of next-generation That means the best picture and sound formats like Dolby Digital Plus. sound quality to be offered in Connect a Blu-ray player via HDMI cable the home yet and huge flexibility to an AV system to allow 7.1 channel when it comes to storing your surround sound. own video and audio material Store more video, audio and digital and digital photos in the pictures on a single disc than ever near future. before. With a single-layer BD disc storing 25GB of data, it holds five times Panasonic is the first of a large group of consumer electronics as much as a DVD, 35 times as much as makers releasing Blu-ray products and the entertainment industry’s a CD. Dual-layer BD discs double the support of Blu-ray means it will be the dominant format of the future capacity again. for movies, music and video games. Connect the components of your home theatre system to take full advantage of Blu-ray’s power lies in its ability to store and process more the superior sound and image quality information, many times faster than the previous generation of DVD Blu-ray offers. Panasonic’s TVs, players, players and recorders. AV receivers and speakers are Blu-ray compatible and support HDAVI, for one blu-ray.co.nz button control of all your components. panasonic.co.nz Interact with BD disc features that extend the menu functions of the regular DVD. The extra capacity of BD discs means the potential for interactive services to be provided with movies, music and games is almost endless. contents edit... Looks great too. Steve Hart – Editor

Television is about to enter a whole new era as high defi nition TVs are just beginning to become a real option. But as Richard Thorne outlines in our cover story, it is a case of buyer beware at the moment. There is lots to consider before buying an HD TV as there are subtle differences in terminology to remember. That said, HDTV is the way of the future — all we need now is for broadcasters to join the revolution so we can benefi t from a better TV experience beyond that supplied by the new generation of DVD players and games consoles. Also in this edition, Peter Griffi n jumps in with a review of mobile phones, his choice of hi-tec stocking fi llers and headphones. Vikki Bland explains how most anyone can get free phone calls with their computer and a Skype account, and Simon Hendery takes a look at photo quality printers. All this and more is inside. All the best for a super Christmas and New Year.

05 MOBILE PHONES The best offerings from Vodafone and Telecom 06 PHOTOGRAPHY All you need to know about digital photographs. 09 HEADPHONES Peter Grifﬁ n gives his verdict on the best headphones on the market. 09 SUMMER SOUNDS Check out the best music of the season courtesy of C Scott.

13 WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY COVER STORY All you need to know about Leap into a brave new world working without wires 10 of high deﬁ nition television 15 PRINTERS Want to print your own photos? Get the lowdown on the best printers on the market 18 GAME ON Compare the best offerings from games giants Playstation2 and XBox

TIMEX IRONMAN THE WRITERS Sleek 50 Lap Peter Grifﬁ n, Vikki Bland, Simon Hendery, T5H381 rrp $169 C Scott, Wayne Lorimer, Richard Thorne.

INSIDE SERIES Editor: Steve Hart 50 lap memory recall, 100 hour chronograph, on the Designer: James Russell. Justine Sarbutt ﬂy recall of lap, multiple workout storage, synchro Sales manager: Kerri Tait timer, two interval timers, interval repitition counter, Sales rep: Bianca Lawton Making Skype simple: Project coordinator: Emily Hancox Get free phone calls stainless steel top ring, INDIGLO night light with Published by APN NZ 14 night mode, three alarms, two time zones and 100m

The Inside series is free with the water resistant. Looks great too. New Zealand Herald. The next edition of Inside Technology & Innovation will be out on April 7, 2007. ADVERTISE Contact Bianca Lawton on (09) 3736400 extension 8671 Email: [email protected] COMING UP Look out for other issues of the Inside series Available at selected Jewellers and specialty including Inside Family Health & Nutrition and Inside Freedom & Lifestyle out in March 2007. retailers. Phone 0508 566 300 for more information. The must have gadgets www.timex.com COVER SHOT this Christmas Getty Images 17 3752r2 Simplicity is accessing your music everywhere in your home. Philips Streamium Wireless Music System gives you the freedom to create a wireless network throughout your home – without a PC. All you need is a Wireless Music Center. Add on up to 5 Wireless Music Stations, and each member of your family can enjoy their own tunes – in their own rooms! The Wireless Music Center stores your entire music collection in a single device, and streams it – wirelessly – anywhere in your home. Plug and play up to 5 Wireless Music Stations – complete with high-quality integrated ﬂat speakers – to access up to 1500 different tunes. Hear more, play more, enjoy more – visit www.philips.com/streamium > TALK TALK 5 Text, talk, communicate

Peter Grifﬁ n rounds up the best mobile devices and says you’ll be spoilt for choice this Christmas

You’ll be spoilt for choice if you’re looking to give the gift of a mobile THE BEST OF TELECOM phone this Christmas. Digital camera, music player and high speed data downloads are now standard features on mid-range mobiles and there’s SANYO DIVA plenty of choice. While Vodafone has the upper hand with its extensive The slim and competitively priced Sanyo 6600 has been range, some new additions by Telecom are worth considering. refreshed in pale pink to appeal to women. Little else is different about this new version of the phone that boasts a digital camera, Bluetooth and WAP browser. PRICE: $499 THE BEST OF VODAFONE PROS: STYLISH AND LIGHTWEIGHT CONS: ONLY 5MB OF ONBOARD MEMORY SONY ERICSSON V630I An amalgam of previous Sony Ericsson phones, the V630i is nevertheless a nicely designed phone that will appeal to those who want to use their phone as a music player. There are TREO 700WX dedicated music buttons and the V630i supports The fi rst Palm Treo available on the Telecom A2DP Bluetooth for wireless audio streaming to network to feature Win-edows will go down compatible headphones. The Memory Stick well. The 700wx is packed with software Micro card allows you to load up on music. features and has generous memory for storing PRICE: $499 fi les. There’s Windows Media Player, a QWERTY PROS: GOOD MUSIC PHONE keyboard and a touch screen for easy data CONS: AVERAGE CAMERA QUALITY entry. Accesses Telecom’s high-speed data network. PRICE: $999 PROS: GOOD FEATURES, FAST CONNECTIVITY NOKIA 6234 CONS: EXTERNAL ANTENNA ADDS TO BULK A classic candy bar mobile with simple design, big keys and a bright screen. The 6234 isn’t a fl ashy phone but will appeal to those who want quick access to phone SAMSUNG BLADE features but the added convenience of A solid performer for Telecom, the Blade is ultra-thin, packed a two megapixel camera. There’s with features, such as music player and camera and also expandable memory to use allows high-speed data downloads. It’s profi le and clamshell the 6234 as a music player. design makes it ideal for carrying around and an external PRICE: $399 screen tells you who is calling or which music track is playing. PROS: AFFORDABLE, NICE DESIGN PRICE: $699 CONS: LIGHT ON FEATURES PROS: THIN AND LIGHTWEIGHT, GOOD FEATURES CONS: LIMITED ONBOARD MEMORY, MENU SYSTEM

MOTOROLA V1100 MOBILE BUYING TIPS An exclusive to Vodafone worldwide, the V1100 has the characters of the hugely popular Motorola RAZR • If planning to use a phone as a music player, make sure with one signiﬁ cant difference – the V1100 supports there’s an expansion slot to add extra memory. A 256MB HSDPA, Vodafone’s high-speed data network. That memory card will hold about a hour’s worth or music. makes it a sturdy workhorse for those wanting to • Not all Bluetooth headphones work with every Bluetooth-capable phone. send emails and surf the web quickly. There’s a 1.3 • Don’t be seduced by services like TV on your mobile. Try these out in the store megapixel camera built into a solid yet slim case. ﬁ rst. Don’t be left with a pricy phone you use only to make calls on and send text PRICE: $699 messages with. PROS: HIGH-SPEED DATA • Choose a phone that has a logical, easy to navigate menu. CONS: A LITTLE TOO LIKE MOTOROLA’S • Buy a phone with good battery life. Use of the camera, mobile data and music player EXISTING V3X MODEL sap a phone’s battery. Look for one with high standby and talk time minutes.

Artist’s impression SkyCabs International Ltd Initial Public Offering of Shares Minimum Investment: $2,000 – Offer closes 14th December 2006 • SkyCabs owns the patented NZ design for a two-directional monorail transport system.

• SkyCabs intends to build a demonstration track during 2007 and 2008 to establish that: 1. SkyCabs can provide a fast, 24/7, clean, green, pollution-free, whisper-quiet service. ✃ 2. Light 8-seater cabs ensure small support structures and low capital and operating costs. Please send me your Registered Prospectus 3. SkyCabs is suitable for a share of the Company’s estimate of US$17.5 billion annual global urban rail construction market. Name ...... For information, download a Prospectus from www.skycabs.co.nz or contact the NZX Sponsor, Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, Address ...... Ph 09 353 9700, your NZX ﬁrm or SkyCabs International Ltd, PO Box 9823 Auckland 1149. Ph 09 379 3000, Fax 09 379 3005 ...... Application has been made to NZX for permission to list as an NZAX issuer and to quote the Shares on the NZAX. All requirements of NZX for quoting of the Shares that can be complied with on or before the date of distribution of the Prospectus have been complied with, however, NZX accepts no responsibility Phone ...... for any statement in the Prospectus. 6 > PHOTOGRAPHY

TAKING TOP SHOTS

Set your aperture priority on low (around 2.8) to get a shallow depth of field such as this. This How to setting is also handy for portrait shots. A fast shutter speed is also take better good for sports photos.

A high aperture setting (up to 16) is ideal for holiday taking landscape shots. This gives a greater depth of field where both the foreground and the snaps background are in focus. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your photography. Getting down low or up high to take your snaps can Wayne Lorimer offers up some good advice on produce a good effect. helping you develop your photographic techniques Also your subject need not be in the middle of the frame. If the photo is not what you were

PHOTOS / GETTY IMAGES looking for — delete it.

o you want to take better holiday P, A, S & M (Programme, Aperture, Shutter Also, consider placing your subject off- photos with your digital camera. and Manual). Programme is really just an centre. Placing everything smack-dab in Let’s face it, who doesn’t? It should advanced “auto”, although it’s better the middle screams “auto”. Sbe simple enough. You just point, because it will let you “tweak” settings. When you do take your impressive shoot and hey presto — perfect photos Aperture priority lets you set the holiday photos, you’re going to blow them Choosing a Digital Camera every time. Oh, if only it were that easy. camera’s lens opening, which in turn up and print them out – right? The important Well, the good news is that it can be that controls the “depth-of-fi eld” (amount of thing to remember here is “resolution”. easy. Today’s digital cameras come jam- sharpness in an image). Set the aperture When you take a photo using a digital At Dick Smith Electronics, we always try 4X packed with an impressive array of picture- to the lowest number (around 2.8) for a camera, it captures a fi le (usually called a 4 Optical 1.8" BONUS ACCESSORY PACK and make shopping with us easy, so we’ve MP LCD Containing 512MB XD making technology. So now everybody truly shallow depth of fi eld for portraits, or set the jpeg) up to a certain “resolution” (a number Zoom PowerShot Camera A430 prepared this handy checklist to help you card, carry case, mini does have the ability to capture fantastic highest number (probably f8 on most digital of pixels across and down). The entry-level camera with high-level specs. Record decide which digital camera is right for you. tripod, worth $100. holiday images. It’s not quite as simple cameras) for front-to-back sharpness ideal You can alter the resolution in your VGA movies and get up close with the 5cm Super Macro as ‘point-and-shoot’ though, and good for landscapes. camera — usually by setting it to high, q MEGAPIXELS. The higher number of megapixels, mode. DiG!C II processor ensures fast operation and 10X images do require a little thought on your Shutter priority opens the shutter in the medium or low. Low-resolution is best left for the more detail in each image. Choose more superior images. 5 1.8" MP Optical LCD part. Not much, mind you — just a little. But camera for the specifi ed time – either long images you want for the internet, whereas megapixels for larger print sizes. XG0416 Zoom a little effort can go a long way in turning or short times. Set the camera to 1/1000th of high-resolution is best for printing. So set TOP 10 TIPS FOR q ZOOM. Look for the camera’s Optical Zoom rating your otherwise so-so snaps into images a second for a fast shutter speed to freeze you camera on its fi nest jpeg setting at high – a higher number means zooming further, SAVE you’ll treasure forever. the action on sports day, or set a very slow resolution and you won’t have a problem GREAT PHOTOS anywhere from 3x right up to 12x to bring distant $50 objects up close. First things fi rst — “auto” is evil. There, I’ve shutter time of two seconds or longer printing A4 sized (or larger) images. 1. Use a scene mode, not auto. said it (and yes thank you, I do feel better). if you are shooting the city at night. Not The downside to shooting at full q LCD SCREEN. Most digital cameras have colour If you want to take better photos then take surprisingly with shutter speeds that long a resolution is that you won’t fi t as many 2. Choose ‘side lighting’ so your screens built in, to let you frame your shots and $ review them instantly. Choose a larger screen to control and get your camera off automatic. tripod is a must. images on a memory card. My response to subject doesn’t squint into 248 see more detail. What do you set on your camera instead? And then we have full manual mode. that — get a bigger card. A 512MB card is the sun. Well, how about those funky little icons for It should come with a public health about right for most people, so make sure q MACRO. To photograph something from very 5X 6 Optical 2.5" Zoom Camera FE200 starters. warning advising all but the most profi cient you’ve got one. And while you’re at it, get close range – look for the Macro rating. A 5cm MP LCD 3. Press the shutter gently to avoid Zoom The 28-140mm equivalent lens takes you all the way Somewhere on a dial on top of your photographers against using full manual a spare set of rechargeable batteries. A Macro function lets you put the lens just 5cm from camera shake. the subject, without blurring. from wide panoramas to stunning close-ups. Add scene camera, or in a menu on the LCD screen, mode. Seasoned veterans shoot fully spare set (fully charged and ready to go) q ISO. Used to measure light sensitivity. A higher modes, movies, 2.5" screen there will be a series of “picture modes”. manual because of the total control it isn’t a luxury — it’s a must. 4. Get in close for high impact ISO rating [e.g. 1600+] allows you to capture and Li-Ion battery for the Most common are portrait, landscape, gives. Yet even they probably started out And fi nally, go experiment and have fun. images. more detail in low light settings without ultimate metal compact sports and macro modes, but today’s on either aperture or shutter priority, and so With the ever-helpful delete button at the camera. XG3637 resorting to flash. digicams are coming out with dozens of should you. ready, together with the even more helpful 5. Vary your angle to add interest. FinePix Camera S5600 Bonus Pack q MOVIE MODE. Most digital cameras can also shoot them. There’s also beach, fi reworks, night Whatever mode you use, camera LCD screen to review your images, digital SAVE An immensely capable camera for the movie clips. A great way to have some extra fun true enthusiast. Offering full manual or portrait, text, party, sunset…you get the settings are only half of the equation. The photography makes it easier than ever to 6. Use a tripod in low light. $100 with your camera. automatic controls, with Super picture. And indeed, by setting your camera other, arguably more important part of get great photos. Don’t like it — shoot it 7. Use a flash outside to remove q MEMORY CARDS. Instead of film, digital CCD technology to one of these “scene modes” you do get any great photo is its composition. A well- again. Aunty June blinked at the wrong harsh shadows in bright light. cameras store photos on memory cards. and 38–380mm the picture. exposed and sharp image can still fail time — shoot it again. If the composition Cards have different capacities and hold $ equivalent lens. $ The camera is still setting everything for to impress. But a photo with high visual is wrong, move around and shoot it again. 8. Use full resolution for better prints. dozens or even hundreds of photos! 399 XG3203P 499 you, but by switching over to “landscape impact will always be a winner. Create Don’t be afraid of the technology — mode” you are far more likely to get a impact by getting up close to your subject. embrace it. It really is there to help make 9. Use the LCD screen to compose better landscape photo than if you leave Fill the frame. Don’t always view the world you a better photographer. And, above all, instead of the viewfinder. over 60 stores nationwide or 24/7 at www.dse.co.nz the camera on automatic. from eye-height either. Give your images remember; auto is evil. Offers available until Sunday 10 December 2006, unless sold out. For those of you with a truly adventurous unusual bugs-eye or birds-eye views by Wayne Lorimer is a regular writer 10. Buy a bigger memory card. streak, there are also the “creative modes” getting down low or up high. for D-Photo magazine 35026 6 > PHOTOGRAPHY

TAKING TOP SHOTS

PHOTOS / GETTY IMAGES looking for — delete it. o you want to take better holiday P, A, S & M (Programme, Aperture, Shutter Also, consider placing your subject off- photos with your digital camera. and Manual). Programme is really just an centre. Placing everything smack-dab in Let’s face it, who doesn’t? It should advanced “auto”, although it’s better the middle screams “auto”. Sbe simple enough. You just point, because it will let you “tweak” settings. When you do take your impressive shoot and hey presto — perfect photos Aperture priority lets you set the holiday photos, you’re going to blow them Choosing a Digital Camera every time. Oh, if only it were that easy. camera’s lens opening, which in turn up and print them out – right? The important Well, the good news is that it can be that controls the “depth-of-fi eld” (amount of thing to remember here is “resolution”. easy. Today’s digital cameras come jam- sharpness in an image). Set the aperture When you take a photo using a digital At Dick Smith Electronics, we always try 4X packed with an impressive array of picture- to the lowest number (around 2.8) for a camera, it captures a fi le (usually called a 4 Optical 1.8" BONUS ACCESSORY PACK and make shopping with us easy, so we’ve MP LCD Containing 512MB XD making technology. So now everybody truly shallow depth of fi eld for portraits, or set the jpeg) up to a certain “resolution” (a number Zoom PowerShot Camera A430 prepared this handy checklist to help you card, carry case, mini does have the ability to capture fantastic highest number (probably f8 on most digital of pixels across and down). The entry-level camera with high-level specs. Record decide which digital camera is right for you. tripod, worth $100. holiday images. It’s not quite as simple cameras) for front-to-back sharpness ideal You can alter the resolution in your VGA movies and get up close with the 5cm Super Macro as ‘point-and-shoot’ though, and good for landscapes. camera — usually by setting it to high, q MEGAPIXELS. The higher number of megapixels, mode. DiG!C II processor ensures fast operation and 10X images do require a little thought on your Shutter priority opens the shutter in the medium or low. Low-resolution is best left for the more detail in each image. Choose more superior images. 5 1.8" MP Optical LCD part. Not much, mind you — just a little. But camera for the specifi ed time – either long images you want for the internet, whereas megapixels for larger print sizes. XG0416 Zoom a little effort can go a long way in turning or short times. Set the camera to 1/1000th of high-resolution is best for printing. So set TOP 10 TIPS FOR q ZOOM. Look for the camera’s Optical Zoom rating your otherwise so-so snaps into images a second for a fast shutter speed to freeze you camera on its fi nest jpeg setting at high – a higher number means zooming further, SAVE you’ll treasure forever. the action on sports day, or set a very slow resolution and you won’t have a problem GREAT PHOTOS anywhere from 3x right up to 12x to bring distant $50 objects up close. First things fi rst — “auto” is evil. There, I’ve shutter time of two seconds or longer printing A4 sized (or larger) images. 1. Use a scene mode, not auto. said it (and yes thank you, I do feel better). if you are shooting the city at night. Not The downside to shooting at full q LCD SCREEN. Most digital cameras have colour If you want to take better photos then take surprisingly with shutter speeds that long a resolution is that you won’t fi t as many 2. Choose ‘side lighting’ so your screens built in, to let you frame your shots and $ review them instantly. Choose a larger screen to control and get your camera off automatic. tripod is a must. images on a memory card. My response to subject doesn’t squint into 248 see more detail. What do you set on your camera instead? And then we have full manual mode. that — get a bigger card. A 512MB card is the sun. Well, how about those funky little icons for It should come with a public health about right for most people, so make sure q MACRO. To photograph something from very 5X 6 Optical 2.5" Zoom Camera FE200 starters. warning advising all but the most profi cient you’ve got one. And while you’re at it, get close range – look for the Macro rating. A 5cm MP LCD 3. Press the shutter gently to avoid Zoom The 28-140mm equivalent lens takes you all the way Somewhere on a dial on top of your photographers against using full manual a spare set of rechargeable batteries. A Macro function lets you put the lens just 5cm from camera shake. the subject, without blurring. from wide panoramas to stunning close-ups. Add scene camera, or in a menu on the LCD screen, mode. Seasoned veterans shoot fully spare set (fully charged and ready to go) q ISO. Used to measure light sensitivity. A higher modes, movies, 2.5" screen there will be a series of “picture modes”. manual because of the total control it isn’t a luxury — it’s a must. 4. Get in close for high impact ISO rating [e.g. 1600+] allows you to capture and Li-Ion battery for the Most common are portrait, landscape, gives. Yet even they probably started out And fi nally, go experiment and have fun. images. more detail in low light settings without ultimate metal compact sports and macro modes, but today’s on either aperture or shutter priority, and so With the ever-helpful delete button at the camera. XG3637 resorting to flash. digicams are coming out with dozens of should you. ready, together with the even more helpful 5. Vary your angle to add interest. FinePix Camera S5600 Bonus Pack q MOVIE MODE. Most digital cameras can also shoot them. There’s also beach, fi reworks, night Whatever mode you use, camera LCD screen to review your images, digital SAVE An immensely capable camera for the movie clips. A great way to have some extra fun true enthusiast. Offering full manual or portrait, text, party, sunset…you get the settings are only half of the equation. The photography makes it easier than ever to 6. Use a tripod in low light. $100 with your camera. automatic controls, with Super picture. And indeed, by setting your camera other, arguably more important part of get great photos. Don’t like it — shoot it 7. Use a flash outside to remove q MEMORY CARDS. Instead of film, digital CCD technology to one of these “scene modes” you do get any great photo is its composition. A well- again. Aunty June blinked at the wrong harsh shadows in bright light. cameras store photos on memory cards. and 38–380mm the picture. exposed and sharp image can still fail time — shoot it again. If the composition Cards have different capacities and hold $ equivalent lens. $ The camera is still setting everything for to impress. But a photo with high visual is wrong, move around and shoot it again. 8. Use full resolution for better prints. dozens or even hundreds of photos! 399 XG3203P 499 you, but by switching over to “landscape impact will always be a winner. Create Don’t be afraid of the technology — mode” you are far more likely to get a impact by getting up close to your subject. embrace it. It really is there to help make 9. Use the LCD screen to compose better landscape photo than if you leave Fill the frame. Don’t always view the world you a better photographer. And, above all, instead of the viewfinder. over 60 stores nationwide or 24/7 at www.dse.co.nz the camera on automatic. from eye-height either. Give your images remember; auto is evil. Offers available until Sunday 10 December 2006, unless sold out. For those of you with a truly adventurous unusual bugs-eye or birds-eye views by Wayne Lorimer is a regular writer 10. Buy a bigger memory card. streak, there are also the “creative modes” getting down low or up high. for D-Photo magazine 35026 ©2006 Logitech. All rights reserved. Logitech, the Logitech logo, and other Logitech marks are owned by Logitech and may be registered. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. LOG496 hnyur huad fmlsaa.Ahg-ult ls esadlgtcretn ehooydlvrstunning deliver technology light-correcting and lens glass high-quality A away. miles of thousands you’re when h ucCm lr iin ae nentcmuiains elsi,yul ellk o’ergttee even there, right you’re like feel you’ll realistic, so communication internet makes Vision™ Ultra QuickCam® The ie,ee ndmlgt hl nertdeh-aclainesrseeywr oe hog odadclear. and loud through comes word every ensures echo-cancellation integrated while light, dim in even video, WEBCAMMUNICATION e u nieln favne ecm tLogitech.co.nz. at webcams advanced of line entire our See eindt oeyou move to Designed ™ > LISTEN UP 9

Essential listening Wired for sound reviews by C Scott FOO FIGHTERS Peter Grifﬁ n checks out the best headphones around – SKIN & BONES Dave Grohl has become eadphones and earbuds in particular have garnered can’t accidentally blast yourself with sound. A good way to one of the leading a bad reputation of late. It seems too many iPod- cut down on the volume of your music while still being able writers of rough ‘n’ ready, Hwielding kids are playing their hip hop tracks too loud, to hear every guitar strum and softly-sung vocal is to invest in radio-friendly rock. threatening to damage their hearing permanently. It’s a major some decent noise-cancelling headphones. If you’re serious Skin and Bones walks problem that all music listeners plugging into personal audio about cancelling noise, you need to go for some “active” fans through reworked devices need to keep in mind. noise cancelling headphones that use sophisticated audio versions of 15 Foo Some music player makers, Apple included, are now technology to block out the sound of aeroplane engines, favorites. Recorded during a sold out show in putting adjustable volume limiters in their devices so you trafﬁ c noise and background chatter. Los Angeles, Grohl leads an acoustically-driven band through a string of hits. Songs Everlong, NOISE CONTROL My Hero, and Times like These still retain all their impact despite having been stripped down.

DEFTONES – SATURDAY NIGHT WRIST From the 1997 breakthrough Around the Fur to the 2003 self-titled album, there’s never been any mistaking the Deftones’ distinctive blast and croon style. Saturday Night Wrist has been three years in SENNHEISER PXC-250 SONY MDR-G94NC BOSE QUIETCOMFORT 3 the making; the band have endured internal Lightweight active noise cancelling The sporty design and around-the- Sure, they may cost more than your bickering, repeated break-up rumours, two headphones that are also highly back method of wearing them, gives stereo itself, but there’s no compromise producers (Bob Ezrin and Shaun Lopez), half a portable. The PXC headphones are these Sony headphones points for on audio quality with the superb dozen different recording locations, and yet they’ve powered by three AAA batteries and style. The G94NC aren’t as effi cient QuietComfort 3 headphones. They produced one of their best recordings yet. The can be folded closed. Sennheiser’s at noise cancellation as their Bose actively cancel out background fi rst single Hole in the Earth is classic Deftones. NoiseGard technology does a good and Sennheiser cousins, but they cost noise electronically by detecting the job at blocking out background signifi cantly less. Good for blocking peripheral sound waves and inverting THE KILLERS interference. Every aspect of the moderate background noise and them so they don’t impinge on your – SAM’S TOWN headphones has Sennheiser’s they have the added bonus of folding listening. They’re compatible with most The Killers’ follow up to trademark quality about it. up neatly into the provided pouch. music players and mobile phones. Hot Fuss isn’t exactly PRICE: $257 PRICE: $90 PRICE: $649 what their fans will have been expecting. The fast-paced, retro pop WIRELESS LISTENING on the fi rst record was clearly infl uenced by Cutting the cord between you and your music player requires technology for portable headphones as the standard is Brit acts, such as New Order and The Smiths. you to use wireless radio technology to send the music to your compatible with many mobile phones. For home use, wireless This keenly awaited second album features headphones. These days, there are a number of good options radio is a strong contender. Go for headphones with decent an Americanised sound, packed with power for wireless headphones, with Bluetooth, infra-red and wireless battery power as the last thing you want to happen is to be left charged anthems more akin to stadium radio models jockeying for position. Bluetooth is the favoured out and about with a pair of lifeless headphones. rockers such as U2 or even Springsteen. When You Were Young (the fi rst single), LOGITECH BLUETOOTH SENNHEISER is a swooping, mid-tempo pop hit. HEADPHONES RS120-9 They Ideal for watching TV or U2 – 18 SINGLES comfortably connecting wirelessly to your Christmas is coming, wrap around home theatre system. These and with it comes the the back of Sennheiser radio frequency inevitable slew of half-arsed your head headphones deliver a signal compilation albums. and wirelessly over 100 metres, which is As the title indicates, receive audio an impressive distance. what we have here is 18 U2 transmitted from your music player using Bluetooth They’re powered by singles, but there doesn’t technology. A good signal can be maintained over rechargeable batteries and seem to be any rhyme or reason as to why these 10 metres. Enjoy up to eight hours of music with one you simply need to rest the particular tracks have been selected, or even charge of the headphones which have simple controls headphones on their base why there has to be 18 as opposed to another built into them for adjusting volume remotely. station to start recharging. number. The songs are jumbled up arbitrarily with PRICE: $70 PRICE: $280 no chronology at all. WWW.ETOWN.CO.NZ But, it’s diffi cult to fi nd fault with hit after hit and Sunday Bloody Sunday still has the power to move. MUSICAL BUDDIES Noise cancelling headphones may be too bulky to carry delivering decent sound quality. The earbuds that ship with DIECAST — INTERNAL around, especially if you want some music as a background music players are seldom up to scratch. Consider buying a REVOLUTION to your gym workout or run. Earbuds offer portability while still more advanced pair to boost audio quality. Diecast return with another metal masterpiece featuring JVC 55V EARBUDS SENNHEISER LX90 screaming and melodious They’re white so won’t look These earbuds fi t snugly to deliver vocals from Paul Stoddard, out of place plugged into the sound and passive noise cancellation. thick and chunky guitar work iPod, and more comfortable. What sets them -apart from rivals is from Jon Kita & Kirk Kolaitis, There’s inline volume control so the ease with which the the LX-90 and the pounding rhythm of drummer Dennis Pavia you don’t have to go directly headphones are worn. The earbuds and bassist Brad Horion. to the music player to adjust won’t fall out of your ears and connect For a metalcore band Diecast has an appealing the volume level. Cable design via a lightweight cord that passes sound, if not one that you would swear you have ensures minimum tangling. around the back of your neck. heard before. While the music of Internal Revolution PRICE: $50 PRICE: $90 doesn’t break new ground, it’s hard not to get pulled in by the melodic metal of the title track. 10 > HDTV > HDTV 11 Just like being there

In order to make the best of high deﬁ nition advances in the future, buy smart now, writes Richard Thorne

rom black and white to Protection), which is designed to colour, square screens to prevent illegal recording, and is the widescreen, analogue to third part of the HD-ready trinity. Fdigital, corner-fi lling cabinets Digital fi le transfers have created a to elegant wall-mounted fl at panels nightmare for copyright owners and PLACE YOUR BETS — TV technology has made some HDCP affords TV and movie rights signifi cant improvements since holders some protection against BLU-RAY AND HD-DVD TO FIGHT IT OUT the 1950s and now it is advancing copying theft. The HDMI source and quicker than ever before. destination must “shake hands” to egardless of what our broadcasters choose to The most recent marketing allow signals to pass, and as a result Rdish up, the many owners of big, new TV screens wrangle over the merits of LCD vs some DVD players simply won’t work and home theatre set-ups will be wanting to take plasma fl at screens has by now pretty with another brand’s TVs. Retailers advantage of high defi nition pictures from the new much settled to an understanding know this and should happily generation DVDs. that, on a cost/benefi t basis, LCD replace one or the other for you if No surprise, you’re going to need to buy a new rules for screen sizes up to 40 inch. you come unstuck. player — your old DVD machine can’t be upgraded. For TVs measuring 42 inch and up, Most TV retailers also employ the What does seem unbelievable though is that early plasma holds sway, although LCD simple trick of running their demo adopters will again face a dual format fi ght. In the continues to gain ground in the screens from a high resolution source red corner we have the lower cost Toshiba- and mega screen department. — a hard drive or a 720p/1080i DVD Microsoft-backed HD-DVD, while fi ghting from Today’s big talking point for TV disc. The trap here is that once the blue corner is the more widely-supported (but buyers is high defi nition television. you get it back home your new TV costly) Blu-ray Disc format. It is the 1970s’ VHS vs

HDTV is the top end specifi cation screen won’t look half as good as it ALL PICTURES / GETTY IMAGES Betamax fi ght all over again. of the digital (DTV) spectrum and did in the shop — because short of Current DVD discs simply don’t hold enough promises picture quality at least four Blu-ray or HD-DVD, your only source data for high defi nition use. Normal DVD players use times better than we are used to. options are broadcast TV at 480i or a red laser and discs provide a maximum capacity Some commentators reckon HD is DVD at 480p. Some high def screens of 8.5GB. Room for four hours of standard defi nition the biggest thing to happen to the look simply appalling at our normal Goodbye to an old pal video — but only close to movie-length at high def. television since colour. Sky, of course, broadcast resolution – even worse The two new DVD formats use blue laser has a digital service and TVNZ is now than your old analogue TV. technology. HD-DVD in its single-sided, dual-layer trialling DTV transmissions, but HDTV Be aware too that apart from version has a capacity up to 30GB, enough for broadcasts via satellite or terrestrial some models and European Richard Thorne takes a close look at what make HDTV better than analogue eight hours of high-defi nition material. The cost don’t look likely before early 2008. brands such as Loewe, all TVs on advantage is that manufacturers can use the same Internet HDTV streams from the sale only have an analogue tuner infrastructure as for current DVDs. likes of Telecom may well become built-in. To receive any digital TV Blu-ray Disc packs the data even more densely available next year. broadcast signals they will need to oday’s televisions are as much picture resolution, so to get to grips with Germany was shot in widescreen HDTV than HD-DVD, providing up to 50GB of high-defi nition The terms HD-capable and be connected to an external digital computer as image generator, why it is the new couch potato nirvana format. Wider camera angles giving more material. Adding punch to Blu-ray is the fact that it is HD-ready have been misused tuner/decoder box or Sky’s new Tincorporating powerful digital we need fi rst to get to grips with that term single shot coverage, signifi cantly greater backed by a number of heavyweight manufacturers enough to raise warnings from our HD- and IPTV-capable version of processing abilities to upgrade or — resolution. depth of focus, enhanced resolution including Sony, Philips, LG Electronics, Matsushita, Consumers Institute. Unfortunately MySky which is expected to be on downgrade various quality inputs and Unlike at the movies, where images are and picture sharpness combine to make Pioneer, Samsung and Sharp. Its big drawback is in many expensive new high resolution sale sometime in 2008. The Freeview present them in multiple screen shapes. projected on to the screen as a complete it quite different to the compressed and the expense of a new manufacturing process. televisions sold in recent years announcement suggested that Indeed current analogue bro adcasts picture, the pictures on our TV screens blurred sporting images we have become Both systems have been slower than expected will not be capable of screening such set-top boxes will cost around and video sources, DVDs included, can’t are made from a series of horizontal accustomed to. to climb into the ring. HD-DVD was fi rst on sale with HDTV simply because they have $200. take full advantage of the picture quality and vertical scan lines being continually Almost a decade ago I was privileged Toshiba fi nally launching a player in the United connectors which are no longer LCDs have, in the past, been potential of digital TVs. replaced. TV resolution determines how to see a demonstration of digital television States earlier this year priced around NZ$800. The specifi ed by the content providers. criticised for slow crystal response High Defi nition Television is the highest fi nely detailed the picture can be before by global technology giant Thomson. A fi rst Samsung Blu-ray player came out a few months Most mid- to upper-sized TVs rates causing screen blur. A quality of digital TV transmission and the lines close to each other become too baseball game was used to illustrate the later at twice that price. on sale today are fully high-def response time of 8 thousandths of display, a new international standard that blurred to be distinguishable. picture quality possible when the whole Samsung’s New Zealand distributors are hoping compatible, and there is now an a second (8 milliseconds) is now a promises blade-of-grass-sharp pictures Not so long ago we had little need process from camera to screen was kept for a pre-Christmas launch while Sony aren’t internationally licensed HD-Ready reasonable standard, with better- and sound quality to match. HDTV screen to be concerned with TV resolution. high def digital. It was inspiring. expecting a standalone player here before the logo to help you be sure before you performing screens cutting it down images contain four or fi ve times more All our televisions displayed the same Of course that assumes that Sky Blu-ray-enabled PS3 games unit launches in April. buy. To be stickered HD-ready a TV to 6ms. Philips’ top end models information (pixels) than current PAL standardised “vertical” resolution of 480 will resist the temptation to ruin any Toshiba already sell laptops with HD-DVD Rom drives must have a native display resolution boast response times of just 3ms and transmissions. scan lines (rows) from the top to the bottom HD programming by compressing it, but dedicated players aren’t expected here until of at least 720p and include an the company has also developed Here, Sky is the only broadcaster of the screen. The “horizontal resolution”, allowing them to fi t more channels into about the same time. History tells us that consumers high-defi nition multi interface digital a scanning backlight technology widely using a Digital TV broadcast (which perversely is the number of vertical their precious (and doubtless expensive) will back the cost-effective option, but in this fi ght it (HDMI) input connection providing called Clear LCD, which further platform. HDTV uses the widescreen 16:9 lines or columns), has been the only satellite bandwidth. Sky TV expects to be remains possible that the US motion picture studios built-in HDCP copy protection. reduces the motion blur caused aspect ratio, and couples that with 5.1 variable, and that is dependent upon the broadcasting some HDTV content by the which own the video copyrights will determine which Traditional analogue broadcasts are than the cheaper interlacing technology, for this connection if you are buying a new by speeding objects and fast camera Dolby surround sound. Movies fi lmed using quality of the video signal’s source. fi rst quarter of 2008. Given Sky’s heavy system eventually triumphs. HD-DVD is exclusively effectively at 480i (horizontal) resolution, and makes progressive (p) ultimately the television, a DVD player or home theatre panning. high resolution cameras can be easily In contrast HDTV is defi ned as having compression habits to date, and just how backed by Universal Pictures, but supported by New meaning 480 lines of information are more desirable processing format. receiver. It will help make life simple — in Before you buy ask to see a selection of converted but HD does require television either 720 or 1080 scan lines, which much more space HDTV signals will take Line, HBO, Paramount/Dreamworks, and Warner, as scanned across the screen from top to If a TV claims say 1366 x 768 pixels it’s cable-land, simple is good. screens operating from a Sky feed or one of broadcasters such as TVNZ to invest in a calculates out as meaning about two up, that seems a forlorn hope. well as Microsoft’s X-Box. bottom. The i stands for interlaced, which the second fi gure that is pertinent to this HDMI has replaced the less capable DVI the free-to-air channels. Sure you want to vast amount of new equipment. TVNZ has million pixels per screen instead of the HDTV is the best picture you can The Sony-owned studios Columbia TriStar and means that to paint a new picture fi rst measure of resolution — that’s a 720 model. plugs used on earlier digital TVs. Since HDMI buy a screen for the future — but any free-to- just announced it will launch a digital 200,000 we are used to. Quite a step up. hope to get at home, but for now the MGM, plus Disney and 20th Century Fox back Blu- the odd lines and then the even lines are Only half a dozen of the most expensive cable provides up to fi ve Gbps bandwidth air HDTV content looks unlikely before Prime free-to-air 24-hour news/sports channel Where a long shot rugby crowd scene on only way to ensure a regular diet of it is ray. There’s also Playstation (the problematic Blu-ray refreshed — so it takes two screen passes to screens boast 1080p as a native resolution it can pass HDTV video and audio signals starts introducing it via Freeview at about late next year and a “home” channel early a normal analogue TV is a blur of colour, to own an HD-capable television and a drive is blamed for the delayed release of PS3), and complete a new frame. and most of us will be happy to settle for without loss or compression. Be warned the same time as Sky does via satellite in in 2008, neither in High Def. HD has been at HDTV resolution the signatures of face high defi nition DVD player. The fi rst Blu-ray inevitably Apple is in that camp. HDTV standards specify either 720p, 1080i — or even 720p. though that HDMI cables can be expensive 2008. Expect HDTV to be a small part of the around since 1998 but the broadcast cost painters will become distinguishable. and HD-DVD units are arriving here now, Blu-ray does look strong on numbers but US 1080i or 1080p resolution. The p stands for The HDMI connector is a small multi- (how’s $300 for a one metre length?), won’t overall broadcast picture for many years to is one good reason why the revolution has Movie watchers will soon be able to such as Panasonic’s DMP-BD10, selling for reviews are favouring HD-DVD, so the judges’ call progressive scan, in which all the horizontal pin plug which (hallelujah) can transfer be included in the box, and aren’t reliable come. A TV which can successfully upscale been slow to gather momentum. buy, rent, download or internet stream HD about $3000. remains split for now. Of course you may prefer to lines are replaced together in sequence, so both standard- and high-defi nition digital for runs beyond 15 metres. the current broadcast standard to make it High Def refers to the picture quality, movies, so sport buffs will likely be the ones Watching Batman Begins screened wait in the hope of one day being able to download painting a complete frame with each sweep video signals, as well as multi-channel Signals passed via HDMI are encrypted look good will ensure your viewing pleasure not the screen technology or television to benefi t most from the joys of broadcast at 1080p proved to me that HD DVD is a HD movies directly to your 80-inch fl at screen TV. of the screen. This leads to a smoother picture digital audio through a single cable. Look with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content is not compromised from the outset. itself. HDTV is largely about improved HDTV. This year’s football World Cup in rewarding upgrade from my DVD player. — Richard Thorne 10 > HDTV > HDTV 11 Just like being there

In order to make the best of high deﬁ nition advances in the future, buy smart now, writes Richard Thorne

Working without wires

GETTY IMAGES

You’re free to move with the latest wireless technology, writes Simon Hendery

he popularity of home wireless would experience through a wired DSL insurance against problems encountered networking is rocketing as wi-fi connection. during the installation process. SECURITY equipment prices drop and the Actual speed performance, however, There are two common wi-fi standards: Taverage number of computers per will depend on a range of factors including 802.11b and the newer 802.11g. Most routers Failing to organise security within home rises. distance spanned by the network, the on the market are now compatible with your wireless network is like issuing an The ability to free your laptop from the architecture of your house (solid walls can both b and g standards. The best option is invitation to the neighbourhood to shackles of its broadband cable so you hinder performance), and how many of to buy a g enabled device, because the g come and share your broadband. can surf and email from the comfort of the your neighbours have also gone wireless. standard is “backwards compatible” with There are two common security couch has obvious appeal. At the heart of the wireless network is a the b standard. protocols: WEP or WPA. Research suggests home computer piece of hardware called a router which While providing broadband access WEP (Wired Equivalency Protocol) users are embracing that freedom. A is the “base station” device that sends on the move is the key motivator for most is less complex and is therefore easier recent US survey of internet habits found and receives radio waves between your people to go to the expense of installing to hack, but should offer a suffi cient more than half of Americans owned up to internet connection and wireless enabled a wireless home network, the full power level of security for most users. surfi ng while in the bathroom. computers. of a router is that it can enable some With WEP enabled, access to But setting up a wi-fi network at home Router specifi cations vary, but they clever communications between multiple the wireless network requires a can offer more than the ability to check typically have a range of 20m to 50m. computers in the home. shared key (essentially an extended email from whichever part of the house However. Flatmates, for example, can share password) which is necessary to you happen to be in. wireless connections can only be a printer (set up, perhaps, in a publicly decipher encrypted data sent over As well as alleviating the need to knock picked up by wi-fi enabled computers. accessible area of the house) or laptop the network between the computer holes in the walls to add connection points, Most laptops now ship with wi-fi capability. users can backup vital fi les to the home and the router. a wireless network is an effi cient way to You can buy a wireless laptop card for PC over the wireless network. The technology savvy might share a single broadband connection. your non-equipped laptop or a wireless As with the initial wireless set-up, adding choose the more secure WPA This is a benefi t increasingly USB adaptor for a PC. an additional computer or peripheral to protocol (Wi-fi Protected Access) appreciated by parents of teenagers. With A range of routers are on sale from your network is simple in theory but can which includes a key that changes wi-fi connectivity now standard in most about $130 to $500. involve overcoming technical hurdles, regularly, therefore making it more PCs and laptops, buying the children their Internet service providers will also sell especially when dealing with security diffi cult for hackers to decipher. The own machine and connecting it wirelessly you a wireless networking kit with all the issues (see sidebar article). downside of WPA is that it is a more in tandem to the household’s broadband hardware and software you need to get Adding a printer server (a piece complex system and not all devices connection may solve the arguments over set up. of hardware costing from about $100 you may want to connect to your whose turn it is to be online. An advantage of buying a kit through upwards) to a wireless network means a network support it. A wireless network can also enable the your ISP is that it should come with access printer can be connected to the network As well as WEP or WPA security, sharing of other devices such as printers. to the ISP’s support helpline if any issues without the need to run it through a all devices on your network should If all goes according to plan, a wireless arise during set-up. specifi c computer. This can be useful if you also run their own fi rewalls and anti- network should result in broadband For all but the most experienced users, have, say, two laptops but no desktop PC virus software. connectivity speeds close to what you this helpdesk support is worth having as an in the house. Lets talk 14 > COMMUNICATION > PRINTERS 15 about Skype™ How to get your Welcome to the jet age

phone calls free Simon Hendery looks at the pros and cons of printing off your photos at home

CANON MP600 trong competition in the photo printing off so I expect that to happen in New Zealand Using your computer to make national and international voice calls will The Canon MP600’s service market means we now have a and Australia in the near future.” features include range of well priced options when it comes Against the convenience, privacy and speed save your money, writes Vikki Bland PictBridge and wi-fi Sto transferring digital snaps to paper. of printing their own photos at home, printer wireless connectivity, Numerous web-based and in-store services buyers need to weigh up the cost which can printing, copying are available for as little as 22c or less per be expensive compared to in-store or online ave you had a go with Skype and scanning up to standard 15cm by 10cm print. services. yet? It’s easy, and if you make A4 size, plus double- But the option of printing your own pictures The quality of a print depends on a Ha lot of toll calls, using Skype sided and CD printing. at home remains attractive for those wanting the combination of the quality of the printer, inks and With Skype, talk is cheap, if not free! will signifi cantly reduce your monthly Includes an LCD speed, convenience and control of being able paper used to produce it. Finding the optimal Skype is software that allows you to phone bill. screen. The all-in-one to fi ll their photo album without leaving home or balance between price-per-print and quality bypass ordinary telephones and make For example, a 30-minute call to features mean it can be used as a general home-offi ce uploading images to the internet. of reproduction may be matter of comparing calls from your computer. You can a London landline or mobile phone printer as well as a photo printer. Its individually-replaceable Printer manufacturers have responded with combinations of ink and paper to fi nd one that talk as long as you like locally and number from New Zealand at 8am will ink cartridges save waste and reduce running costs. a range of versatile, high-quality, and in many suits your budget and produces pictures you are cost about 90 cents using Skype. If you overseas to other Skype users without PRICE: $399 cases easily portable, printers. happy with. make that call from a normal landline One area where advances in printer features Printers typically use either four, six or eight worrying about the cost of the call at today’s rates, you’ll pay about $6 KODAK EASYSHARE PHOTO PRINTER 300 and technology is most evident is the increasing colours. Essentially, the more colours a printer Skype gives you all these benefits: if you are on Telecom’s AnyTime plan An entry level colour photo printer, the use and sophistication of LCD screens which are uses, the truer the reproduction will be. Gray’s • Free Skype to Skype calls. and $19.50 if you’re not. The same call Kodak EasyShare Photo Printer now appearing on even low-end printers. The advice is to choose a six-colour printer for quality • Video calls. from a Telecom or Vodafone mobile 300 is capable of screens allow standard editing functions such photo printing. Printers with eight or more inks, • Cheap text messages. phone will cost about $14. printing 15cm by as cropping and removal of red-eye to be down she says, offer a step up in quality generally only • Easy conference calling. Skype is a free software programme. 10cm prints only. It is without the need to power up a PC. required by professional photographers. • Free downloadable Skype software You download it to your desktop, PictBridge enabled The PictBridge standard, adopted by many Some manufacturers sell both standard and laptop or PocketPC computer from and has a single camera and printer manufacturers, is also more expensive photo quality inks. Experimenting the Skype website at www.skype.com multi-ink cartridge. enabling picture editing and printing to be done with both will tell you whether you need to pay and then use a computer or Skype GETTY IMAGES No LCD screen. independently of a computer. the premium for the more expensive inks. mobile handset (these are different Capable of recharging A good place to start when considering Photo paper also comes in a range of quality from Vodafone and Telecom mobile Kodak cameras through a photo printer is to look at how it will fi t with and price. Some papers may dry quicker after Exclusive to Dick phones) instead of your normal phone the USB connection. your existing camera and memory storage printing, a factor which may or may not be worth Smith Electronics! to make voice calls. PRICE: $199 technology. paying a premium for. You can make calls to other WHAT YOU NEED FOR SKYPE CALLS If your camera is PictBridge capable then Gray says consumers are conscious of running computers or to national and choosing a PictBridge enabled printer may make costs when buying a photo printer. A point to international landline numbers or fi le transfer easier. If you fi nd printing directly from bear in mind is that running costs will be cheaper mobile phone numbers anywhere • A computer with a Windows 2000 (voice only) or HP PHOTOSMART C7180 your camera’s memory card convenient, make for printers which use individual ink cartridges. in the world. How? As long as your XP (voice and video), Linux or Mac OSX The HP Photosmart C7180 sure you choose a printer with a compatible slot Cheaper cartridges manufactured by a supplier Skype account is active and you’re • A sound card (full-duplex is best) is a feature-packed six- for the type of card your camera uses. other than the print manufacturer are widely connected to the internet, you just use • A microphone (built-in or external) and speakers or a computer ink printer with wireless Nicola Gray, marketing communications available. Once again, experimenting will reveal Internet USB Cordless Handset the Skype handset or computer with headset or handset (not a telephone headset/handset.) A networking, Bluetooth manager for printer manufacturer Hewlett- whether the quality of the ink is suitable. Use this premium cordless phone to make Skype software to dial the number. You computer headset has two separate connectors, one for the connectivity and PictBridge Packard, says while consumers have benefi ted A growing number of camera and printer Skype calls. Crystal clear up to 50m away can also have your own Skype phone computer microphone, and one for the speaker. Also make compatibility. It also from price reductions and technology manufacturers are incorporating the PictBridge from your PC. number (via a service called SkypeIn) sure the headset has a microphone. The handset needs two XH9452 SAVE supports printing directly improvements over recent years, competition technology standard into their devices as an easy $30 $ which friends, family or work colleagues connectors so that it can be plugged into your computer. Headsets from camera memory has yet to heat up around printers designed way to print images directly from the camera. 168 can call you on; your computer will ring can be bought from most consumer electronics retailers. cards. As well as photo and specifi cally to print 15cm by 10cm photos. This Connecting a PictBridge camera and printer just like a normal phone. • A web camera if you want to make video calls over document printing up to market is relatively new but strong internationally, together allows users to edit and print photos For a Skype call to work, these Skype. For a video call, computers at both ends of the A4 size it has fax, copier and scanning capabilities, including slide and Gray says. using functions displayed on the camera’s LCD devices will need to be able to call need a web camera and internet access. These negative scanning functions. The six-ink setup offers better quality prints “More people want instant gratifi cation when screen. Provided they both have PictBridge connect to the internet either over a connections need to be over a fast broadband service. than a four-ink printer and cartridges can be individually replaced. it comes to photography these days,” he says. “In capability. Check your printer’s specifi cations to public wireless network (WiFi hot spot) • A wired broadband phone line connection or access to a PRICE: $699 other markets [15cm by 10cm printers have] taken see whether it is PictBridge compatible. USB Internet Phone or a home-based wired or wireless public wireless “hot spot”. Unfortunately, Skype calls do not Connects to the USB port of internet connection (you can easily set work well if the data connection is at dial-up speed (56k). your PC and talk to others up a wireless network from your home over the internet anywhere in landline — ask your computer retailer the world for free. how). landline or a mobile phone number, it with any major credit card. ONLY ONE BRAND can COMPLETELY Fit XH7170 How do Skype calls actually work? then you need to sign up and pay for Skype credit remains active for The voice call (and if you have a web Skype’s SkypeOut service. (You can 180 days after the last SkypeOut call, Out your VEHICLE and BOAT (12v) with SAVE camera it can be a video call too) also pay for Skype voicemail service and the price-per-minute rate applies Finance SOUND & VISION $5 $ 98 travels from your computer to the and the ability to send Skype text irrespective of the time, day or week 34 internet and then out to its destination, messages.) and independent of where you are Layby We repair, Power Technology, but instead of being carried as a voice SkypeOut calls costs around three calling. So calls can be made to & leaders in Distribution of & signal the call is carried as lots of data cents a minute for each call wherever landlines or mobile phone numbers available! service sell Solar, Renewable Energy, packets that travel together — so the and whenever it is, which is how our in about 20 countries all at the same all brands Generators and Back up only cost you incur is the normal amount example of a 30-minute call to a rate. power. Celebrating 23 of mobile phones years of innovation. you pay for internet access. London landline or mobile phone was If you have a SkypeIn phone number 295 Lincoln Road, If you make a voice call from your estimated at 90 cents. that friends and family can call you on & accessories, Henderson, Call now for Nationwide computer to the computer of someone You pay for SkypeOut calls in these calls are not free for the callers wholesale Auckland - FREE Consultation. www.woodelectronics.co.nz Over 60 stores else with Skype, then the call is free, advance by buying SkypeCredit from unless they are using a computer and & retail!!! Ph. 09 836 6744 Fax. 09 836 6755 no matter where in New Zealand or the website; similar to buying mobile their own Skype connection. 366 Karangahape Road, Auckland [email protected] nationwide or Free Ph now 0800 769 376 www.powertech.co.nz the world you or the other Skype user phone pre-pay minutes. To do this, go Skype is completely above-board Ph 09 307 8085 www.mcltd.co.nz Ph 09 849 3132 Auckland 4952090AA www.dse.co.nz. is. However, if your call is from your to your Skype account page, select the and to date has attracted more than 35027 computer or Skype handset to a amount of credit you want and pay for 70 million users worldwide — go for it. > PRINTERS 15 Welcome to the jet age

Simon Hendery looks at the pros and cons of printing off your photos at home

CANON MP600 trong competition in the photo printing off so I expect that to happen in New Zealand The Canon MP600’s service market means we now have a and Australia in the near future.” features include range of well priced options when it comes Against the convenience, privacy and speed PictBridge and wi-fi Sto transferring digital snaps to paper. of printing their own photos at home, printer wireless connectivity, Numerous web-based and in-store services buyers need to weigh up the cost which can printing, copying are available for as little as 22c or less per be expensive compared to in-store or online and scanning up to standard 15cm by 10cm print. services. A4 size, plus double- But the option of printing your own pictures The quality of a print depends on a sided and CD printing. at home remains attractive for those wanting the combination of the quality of the printer, inks and Includes an LCD speed, convenience and control of being able paper used to produce it. Finding the optimal screen. The all-in-one to fi ll their photo album without leaving home or balance between price-per-print and quality features mean it can be used as a general home-offi ce uploading images to the internet. of reproduction may be matter of comparing printer as well as a photo printer. Its individually-replaceable Printer manufacturers have responded with combinations of ink and paper to fi nd one that ink cartridges save waste and reduce running costs. a range of versatile, high-quality, and in many suits your budget and produces pictures you are PRICE: $399 cases easily portable, printers. happy with. One area where advances in printer features Printers typically use either four, six or eight KODAK EASYSHARE PHOTO PRINTER 300 and technology is most evident is the increasing colours. Essentially, the more colours a printer An entry level colour photo printer, the use and sophistication of LCD screens which are uses, the truer the reproduction will be. Gray’s Kodak EasyShare Photo Printer now appearing on even low-end printers. The advice is to choose a six-colour printer for quality 300 is capable of screens allow standard editing functions such photo printing. Printers with eight or more inks, printing 15cm by as cropping and removal of red-eye to be down she says, offer a step up in quality generally only 10cm prints only. It is without the need to power up a PC. required by professional photographers. PictBridge enabled The PictBridge standard, adopted by many Some manufacturers sell both standard and and has a single camera and printer manufacturers, is also more expensive photo quality inks. Experimenting multi-ink cartridge. enabling picture editing and printing to be done with both will tell you whether you need to pay No LCD screen. independently of a computer. the premium for the more expensive inks. Capable of recharging A good place to start when considering Photo paper also comes in a range of quality Kodak cameras through a photo printer is to look at how it will fi t with and price. Some papers may dry quicker after the USB connection. your existing camera and memory storage printing, a factor which may or may not be worth PRICE: $199 technology. paying a premium for. If your camera is PictBridge capable then Gray says consumers are conscious of running choosing a PictBridge enabled printer may make costs when buying a photo printer. A point to fi le transfer easier. If you fi nd printing directly from bear in mind is that running costs will be cheaper HP PHOTOSMART C7180 your camera’s memory card convenient, make for printers which use individual ink cartridges. The HP Photosmart C7180 sure you choose a printer with a compatible slot Cheaper cartridges manufactured by a supplier is a feature-packed six- for the type of card your camera uses. other than the print manufacturer are widely ink printer with wireless Nicola Gray, marketing communications available. Once again, experimenting will reveal networking, Bluetooth manager for printer manufacturer Hewlett- whether the quality of the ink is suitable. connectivity and PictBridge Packard, says while consumers have benefi ted A growing number of camera and printer compatibility. It also from price reductions and technology manufacturers are incorporating the PictBridge supports printing directly improvements over recent years, competition technology standard into their devices as an easy from camera memory has yet to heat up around printers designed way to print images directly from the camera. cards. As well as photo and specifi cally to print 15cm by 10cm photos. This Connecting a PictBridge camera and printer document printing up to market is relatively new but strong internationally, together allows users to edit and print photos A4 size it has fax, copier and scanning capabilities, including slide and Gray says. using functions displayed on the camera’s LCD negative scanning functions. The six-ink setup offers better quality prints “More people want instant gratifi cation when screen. Provided they both have PictBridge than a four-ink printer and cartridges can be individually replaced. it comes to photography these days,” he says. “In capability. Check your printer’s specifi cations to PRICE: $699 other markets [15cm by 10cm printers have] taken see whether it is PictBridge compatible.

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Peter Grifﬁ n takes his pick of the goodies he’d like to see in his under the tree this year

APPLE MACBOOK PRO BRAVIA X-SERIES 46 INCH LCD Apple’s move to Intel chips is has given new life As ﬂ at screen LCD TVs creep up in size they are also offering better to the Mac computer range. The new dual core image quality than ever before. Sony’s refreshed Bravia range chips put the MacBook laptops on a level peg hosts some real gems including the pricy but breath-taking X-series with PC notebooks when it comes to processing screens. The mid-range 46 inch boasts a high deﬁ nition panel, power. Throw in Boot Camp, software that allows Dolby Pro Logic II virtual surround sound and the Bravia EX engine Macs to boot Windows smoothly from start-up, which does amazing things to squeeze better resolution out of and the ease of use of Apple’s own software the screen. This is what you want mounted on your lounge wall. and you’ve powerful and stylish portable PRICE: $9000 computing. WWW.SONY.CO.NZ PRICE: $5049 WWW.APPLE.CO.NZ

MICROSOFT FLIGHT CANON EOS 30D SIMULATOR X Canon’s much-loved 20D digital SLR camera My pick for game of the gets a facelift, but the camera’s best features year, though the Xbox remain unchanged. Few digital SLRs achieve 360 title Saints Row and the right balance of usability and fl exibility for the multiplayer epic the more advanced user. While camera buffs Battlefi eld: 2142 come expressed disappoint- close. Flight Simulator X ment at the lack PANASONIC BLU-RAY RECORDER is the best version yet of of radical new The fi rst of the Blu-ray players to debut here, the BD-10 the realistic fl ying game. features on the records to high capacity Blu-ray discs that carry up to It deserves accolades 30D, the larger, 2.5 50GB (gigabytes) of data. That’s a lot of TV and movies. for the attention to detail inch LCD screen is The player has high quality video and audio processing paid by the developers appreciated. The and is built for the new wave of high-defi nition media who allow you to take designers have content. Perfect for home theatre enthusiasts and those off from thousands of wisely left the who like to hoard extensive video collections. airports in everything from a jet fi ghter to a jumbo jet. core features PRICE: $3000 This isn’t a shoot-em-up, you’ll need hours to master it, alone. WWW.PANASONIC.CO.NZ but the rewards are great. PRICE: $3677 (WITH PRICE: $90 17 – 55MM LENS) WWW.GAMEPLANET.CO.NZ WWW.CANON.COM

MYSKY RECORDER It has been on the market for a year now, but every MySky owner I know tells me the digital video recorder has changed the way they watch TV. The device uses Sky’s programming guide to let you record your favourite shows and watch them back without advertisements — whenever you want. There’s enough capacity for many hours of recording and the programming guide is easy to navigate. An indispensable tool for big TV watchers who are also Sky subscribers. PRICE: $599 WWW.SKYTV.CO.NZ PHILIPS SKYPE PHONE Skype has created a revolution in free internet calling. But until recently, you needed to use a computer headset to talk online. Now Philips has launched standard digital THE VODEM SAMSUNG K-5 phones that handle normal calls as well as A plastic, white box that It’s no iPod-killer, but Samsung’s sleek, music player Skype calls. The cordless handset links you to acts as a high-speed modem has oodles of style and a unique feature — a built-in other Skype users. An internet phone that even when plugged into your speaker for music playback without headphones. your grandma could use. computer, the Vodem connects The K5 is black and square, splitting in half to reveal PRICE: $159 to the mobile network giving you a touch screen and the ﬂ at panel speaker. Available WWW.PHILIPS.CO.NZ internet connectivity wherever there is with 1GB (gigabyte), 2GB or 4GB of internal memory. PRICE: $1299 (NO CONTRACT) mobile coverage. It’s easy to install and PRICE: $258 (1GB VERSION) WWW.PALM.COM comes with easy to use software. WWW.SAMSUNG.COM WWW.VODAFONE.CO.NZ PRICE: $429 ($99 ON 24 MONTH TERM) 18 > REVIEWS Loaded and ready to go

Five of the best from PlayStation 2 and Xbox are put through their paces by C Scott

PLAYSTATION 2 X BOX

MARVEL: ULTIMATE ALLIANCE GEARS OF WAR This is an action role playing game with a combined cast Gears of War lives up to expectations — casting the player as a of more than 140 comic book characters from the Marvel grizzled war veteran who, along with a trio of teammates must superhero universe — including Spider-Man, Cap tain ﬁ ght to preserve the remnants of humanity from extermination. America and Thor. Together our heroes can battle through 17 The campaign rips along at a merciless pace throwing hordes locations and recreate some of comic-dom’s greatest battles of smart ‘Locust’ enemies at our rugged team. Better yet a against villains such as Dr Doom, Bullseye and Galactacus. friend can join in the carnage with co-operative play both Ofﬂ ine or online multiplayer gaming allows friends to go off and online. Team based multiplayer games wrap up the crazy with spectacular super powers and attack moves. package with up to eight people being able to do battle.

CANIS CANEM EDIT TEST DRIVE UNLIMITED The latest game from the makers of the Grand Theft Auto Just when I was all ready to go and give up on the Test games has arrived. Canis Canem Edit (Latin for dog eat dog) Drive franchise Atari goes and pulls out a game which is revolves around young and troubled youth Jimmy Hopkins, one of the best racing games on the console. TDU is set who is sent to boarding school by his mother and step-father. on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. As the game progresses The events of the game take place within the school and the the player will accumulate ﬂ ash cars and properties to surrounding township. It features a strong storyline and plenty store them at. This game, more than any other I’ve played of tasks and mini-games to keep idle hands busy — you can in a long time, simulates the sheer pleasure of driving even learn new moves and dialogue by attending classes. which is helped in good part by the gorgeous scenery.

SINGSTAR LEGENDS TOM CLANCY’S RAINBOW SIX: VEGAS Number six in the popular karaoke series and proof that some Rainbow Six makes a welcome return and takes place in things do get better with time. The formula is simple, plug in one of the world’s glitziest cities. With terrorists on the loose the microphones start the game and watch as everybody in ‘Sin City’ the Rainbow team must do battle in classic Los in the room, young and old alike loose their vocal inhibitions Vegas. This game requires the player to use teamwork and and start deluding themselves into thinking they can sing. make use of the squads’ special skills. Fireﬁ ghts come down to The 30 tracks range from the likes of Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen smart tactics. Up to four players can join to play through the Spirit and Madonna’s Papa Don’t Preach. Our only question game co-operatively while more competitive game types — why on earth John Farnham — my ears, they bleed! allow up to sixteen gamers to do battle on ten huge maps.

GUITAR HERO II VIVA PINATA Guitar Hero II sees players whammy away from high Viva Pinata has a graphical style in which the entire world school rock bands all the way up to legendary stadium and its creatures are rendered just like the party implements performances. Multiplayer has had a substantial overhaul of the same name — most kids know of them as those with the inclusion of a much welcomed co-op mode in Mexican things you bash with sticks until candy falls out. which a second player takes over the job of either the rhythm Viva Pinata sees you creating and tending a garden. In time or bass guitarist. Not to be beaten, the soundtrack is more living Pinata inhabitants will be attracted to it and make rockin’ than ever with 64 songs – 40 of which are licensed it their home. Pinatas will come and go and your task will tracks from big name bands such as Guns N’ Roses. include accommodating, or ridding yourself of them.

NEED FOR SPEED CARBON SPLINTER CELL DOUBLE AGENT If you like cars that go ‘tchksssshhhh’ then you’ll be excited at The NSA’s top spy makes a welcome return in his most harrowing the latest Need for Speed game which takes place around mission yet. A distraught Sam Fisher (voice by Michael Ironside) the streets of Palmont City and the twisting Carbon Canyons having just lost his only daughter volunteers to take on his most just outside the town limits. You’ll be racing for control of dangerous mission, going deep undercover and inﬁ ltrating territories, building up your crew and buying, then upgrading a domestic terrorist organization. Fisher must also carefully a selection of vinyl pasted cars. The racing in Carbon is set balance his mission objectives and try not to loose the trust of at night and features all sorts of neon streaked graphical either the NSA or ‘John Browns Army’, choices made in game goodies and speed induced motion blurring effects. will have direct consequences in how the plot develops. 18 > REVIEWS broadband everywhere Loaded and ready to go

Five of the best from PlayStation 2 and Xbox are put through their paces by C Scott

PLAYSTATION 2 X BOX

CANIS CANEM EDIT TEST DRIVE UNLIMITED The latest game from the makers of the Grand Theft Auto Just when I was all ready to go and give up on the Test home & away games has arrived. Canis Canem Edit (Latin for dog eat dog) Drive franchise Atari goes and pulls out a game which is revolves around young and troubled youth Jimmy Hopkins, one of the best racing games on the console. TDU is set no longer is your internet access confined to one computer. meet vodem™. who is sent to boarding school by his mother and step-father. on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. As the game progresses plugs into your usb slot and self-installs in moments. vodem™ can be used The events of the game take place within the school and the the player will accumulate fl ash cars and properties to with any computer, pc or mac, desktop or laptop, inside or out. get the surrounding township. It features a strong storyline and plenty store them at. This game, more than any other I’ve played freedom to move like never before. of tasks and mini-games to keep idle hands busy — you can in a long time, simulates the sheer pleasure of driving even learn new moves and dialogue by attending classes. which is helped in good part by the gorgeous scenery. ™ SINGSTAR LEGENDS TOM CLANCY’S RAINBOW SIX: VEGAS vodem 200MB broadband plan Number six in the popular karaoke series and proof that some Rainbow Six makes a welcome return and takes place in things do get better with time. The formula is simple, plug in one of the world’s glitziest cities. With terrorists on the loose the microphones start the game and watch as everybody in ‘Sin City’ the Rainbow team must do battle in classic Los ONLY ONLY in the room, young and old alike loose their vocal inhibitions Vegas. This game requires the player to use teamwork and and start deluding themselves into thinking they can sing. make use of the squads’ special skills. Firefi ghts come down to $ $ 95 The 30 tracks range from the likes of Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen smart tactics. Up to four players can join to play through the 199 29permonth Spirit and Madonna’s Papa Don’t Preach. Our only question game co-operatively while more competitive game types $429RRP vodem™ only — why on earth John Farnham — my ears, they bleed! allow up to sixteen gamers to do battle on ten huge maps. Subject to Vodafone 3G Broadband coverage. Subject to connection to a 24 month term.

GUITAR HERO II VIVA PINATA Guitar Hero II sees players whammy away from high Viva Pinata has a graphical style in which the entire world school rock bands all the way up to legendary stadium and its creatures are rendered just like the party implements work.out. performances. Multiplayer has had a substantial overhaul of the same name — most kids know of them as those vodafone mobile connect (vmc). ideal for the mobile worker. with the inclusion of a much welcomed co-op mode in Mexican things you bash with sticks until candy falls out. it’s never been so easy for businesses to access broadband on the which a second player takes over the job of either the rhythm Viva Pinata sees you creating and tending a garden. In time move. the vodafone mobile connect card simply slots into your or bass guitarist. Not to be beaten, the soundtrack is more living Pinata inhabitants will be attracted to it and make rockin’ than ever with 64 songs – 40 of which are licensed it their home. Pinatas will come and go and your task will laptop, giving you instant access to business applications, email tracks from big name bands such as Guns N’ Roses. include accommodating, or ridding yourself of them. and internet. it’s freedom to move like never before.

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