Tech & Movie News

My iPodownloads

2007-04-02T18:42:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered this really good, cheap site called My iPodownloads to download movies, music, games, software and more. With a one time membership fee, that is more than reasonable, you get access to a huge select of media files.

Simply download your favorite DVD quality movies, music, or TV shows to your computer and transfer them to your iPod using the easy to install, user friendly software. You can view your movies on your computer or transfer them to your iPod. I think it's a site worth checking out especially if you're tired of paying for every download.

The Matrix Trilogy Coming To HD DVD

2007-03-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

Warner Home Video and Village Roadshow Pictures will release a high definition version of The Matix Trilogy on May 22. It will be released in two versions; The Ultimate Matrix Collection, retailing for $119.99, contains HD DVD versions of all three Matrix movies with more than 35 hours of bonus material in 5 double sided discs. The Complete Matrix Trilogy, retailing for $99.99, contains HD DVD versions of the three Matrix films in a 3-disc set with minimal extra's. Both come with the In-Movie Experience (IME), an exclusive interactive feature that allows viewers to enjoy new ways of accessing interviews and other material while the movie is running. Hopefully a Dolby TrueHD soundtrack will also be included. Unfortunately fans of Blu-ray Disc will have to wait, as versions of both collections won't be released until later this year. Here are the details:

The Matrix (1999):

Side 1:
- In-Movie Experience
- Commentaries- Written Introduction by The Wachowski brothers
- Critics Commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers and David Thomson
- Cast and Crew Commentary by Carrie-Anne Moss, Zach Staenberg and John Gaeta
- Composer Commentary by Don Davis with Music Only Track
- Behind The Matrix
- Making The Matrix- The Dance of the Master: Yuen Wo Ping's Blocking Tapes
- The Bathroom Fight and Wet Wall
- The Code of the Red Dress
- The Old Exit: Wabash and Lake
- Agent Down
- But Wait- There's More
- The Music Revisited
- Marilyn Manson Music Video Rock is Dead
- The Matrix Teaser
- The Matrix Trailer
- The Matrix TV Spots:
- A) Manson
- B) Reality
- C) Forget Everything
- D) Mystery
- E) Buckle Up
- F) The Answer
- G) Kung Fu
- H) Whoa

Side 2: (Only available in The Ultimate Matrix Collection)
- The Matrix Revisited
- Take the Red Pill
- What is Bullet Time?
- What is the Concept?
- Follow the White Rabbit
- Trinity Escapes
- Pod
- Kung Fu
- The Wall
- Bathroom Fight
- Government Lobby
- Government Roof
- Helicopter
- Subway

The Matrix Reloaded (2003):

Side 1:
- In-Movie Experience
- Commentaries
- Written Introduction by The Wachowski brothers
- Philosophers Commentary by Dr. Cornel West and Ken Wilber
- Critics Commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers and David Thomson
- Behind The Matrix
- The Matrix Unfolds:
- A) Pre-Load
- B) Get Me an Exit
- The MTV Movie Awards Reloaded
- Enter The Matrix: The Game
- P.O.D. Music Video "Sleeping Awake"
- Reloaded/Revolutions Teaser
- The Matrix Reloaded Trailer
- The Matrix Reloaded TV Spots:
- A) Yes
- B) Jack In
- C) Nice Trick
- D) Story
- E) No Escape
- F) I'm In
- G) Prophecy
- H) Neo

Side 2: (Only available in The Ultimate Matrix Collection)
- Car Chase
- The Freeway Chase
- Oakland Streets and Freeway: Unseen Material
- Tour of the Merovingian's Garage
- Queen of the Road
- Arteries of the Mega-City: The Visual Effects of the Freeway Chase
- Foresight: Pre-planning the Mayhem
- Freeway Truck Crash: Anatomy of a Shot
- Fate of the Freeway
- Freeway Action Match
- Teahouse Fight
- Two Equals Clash
- Guardian of the Oracle: Collin Chou
- Unplugged
- Creating the Burly Brawl
- A Conversation with Master Wo Ping
- Chad Stahelski: The Other Neo
- Burly Brawl Action Match
- Spiraling Virtual Shot: Anatomy of a Shot
- I'll Handle Them
- The Great Hall
- Building the Merovingian's Lair
- Tiger Style: A Day in the Life of Chen Hu
- Heavy Metal: Weapons of the Great Hall
- The Exiles
- Big Brother is Watching: The Architect's Office

The Matrix Revolutions (2003):

Side 1:
- In-Movie Experience
- Commentaries
- Written Introduction by The Wachowski brothers
- Philosophers Commentary by Dr. Cornel West and Ken Wilber
- Critics Commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers and David Thomson
- Behind The Matrix
- Revolutions Recalibrated
- Neo Realism: The Evolution of Bullet Time
- CG Revolution
- Super Big Mini Models
- Super Burly Brawl
- Double Agent Smith
- Mind Over Matter: The Physicality of The Matrix
- Future Gamer: The Matrix Online
- The Matrix Revolutions Trailer
- The Matrix Revolutions TV Spots:
- A) Give Anything
- B) Help
- C) Power
- D) Future
- E) Believe
- F) Control

Side 2: (Only available in The Ultimate Matrix Collection)
- Behind The Matrix
- Before the Revolution
- 3-D Evolution
- Crew
- Owen's Army: The Australian Art Dept.
- 2nd Unit: A World of Their Own
- Bill Pope: Cinematographer of The Matrix
- Masters of Light and Shadow
- Hel
- Coat Check
- Upsidedown Under
- Fast Break
- Exploding Man
- Gun Club
- The Extras of Club Hel
- Super Burly Brawl
- The Skybarn
- The Crater
- The Egg
- Anatomy of the Superpunch
- Super Burly Brawl
- New Blue World
- Geography of Zion
- The Ships
- Tour of the Neb
- Matrix TV
- Logos Fight Expansion
- Siege
- Dig This
- The Siege Action Match
- Anatomy of a Shot: Mifune's Last Stand
- Building an APU
- Product of Zion
- Aftermath
- Revolutionary Composition
- The Glue
- Dane Tracks
- Cause and Effects

Disc 4: The Animatrix DVD & The Roots of The Matrix (Only available in The Ultimate Matrix Collection)

Side 1:
- Voices
- The Second Renaissance Part I Commentary by Mahiro Maeda
- The Second Renaissance Part II Commentary by Mahiro Maeda
- Program Commentary by Yoshiaki Kawajiri
- World Record Commentary by Takeshi Koike
- Scrolls to Screen: The History and Culture of Anime
- Execution
- Making Final Flight of the Osiris
- Making The Second Renaissance Parts I & II
- Making Kid's Story & A Detective Story
- Making Program
- Making World Record
- Making Beyond
- Making Matriculated

Side 2:
- Return to Source: Philosophy & The Matrix (AKA. Brainiac's Revenge)
- The Hard Problem: The Science Behind the Fiction

Disc 5: Burly Man Chronicles & The Zion Archive (Only available in The Ultimate Matrix Collection)

Side 1:- The Burly Man Chronicles
- Pre-Production
- Alameda Shoot
- Australia Shoot

Side 2:
- The Zion Archive
- Photo galleries
- The Rave Reel
- The Matrix Online
- 2 Music Videos, Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots

HDTV Flat Panel Review

2007-02-27T21:04:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for a new TV, here are some things to consider that might help you decide. LCD tend to have a higher resolution than comparably sized plasma panels, with no danger of burn in. However if your looking in the 50" or over category LCD screens are generally more expensive than their plasma counterparts. The downside, lesser picture quality, poor blacks levels, and narrow viewing field. LCD screens have a lower refresh rate than plasma's, meaning that if you watch something with fast moving images (sports), you're more likely to experience a judder effect. In my opinion, when I was shopping for a TV I found the picture on LCD screens to be unnatural, too much like that of a computer display. Some of the better brands of LCD screens are Sharp, & Sony.

Plasma has the most natural, highest quality picture and wide viewing angles. The downside a slight potential for burn in and a generally lower resolution than comparatively sized LCD's. In my personal experience burn in is a non issue with the majority of today's plasma screens. You might experience some temporary "ghosting" due to static images (especially you gamers), but most plasma's are equipped with ways to counter ghosting, such as movable pixels or white wash screens. If you vary your viewing habits, viewing mostly full screen images for the first 200 - 300 hr. break in period, you shouldn't have any problems. I personally have not had any problems with "ghosting" on my Pioneer plasma screen with over a 1000 hrs viewing time on it. Top brands of plasma are Pioneer & Panasonic.

While ultimately the type of TV you settle on is up to personal opinion, you should keep in mind these points. Connectivity; look for at least 2 HDMI inputs. Screen size; whether you're looking for 27" - 42" range or 50" and above (LCD being a better choice in smaller screen sizes). Knowing these points will help you significantly narrow the field of options and make choosing that much easier. Remember just like any other thing you get what you pay for, so you're better served by not trying to save too much on the price. With prices in both types of TV's continually falling, you can now buy a quality TV of either kind for a reasonable price.

LG Super Multi Blue Player

2007-02-21T23:32:00.000-08:00

Continuing in High Definition I thought I'd look at LG's new dual format disc player. The Super Multi Blue Player features;

- Blu-ray & HD DVD Playback

- Full HD 1080p Output through HDMI 1.2

- DVD 1080i Upconversion

- BD-J Interactive Menu System

(No HD DVD Interactive Menus)

- Supports Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Audio

- 5.1 Channel Analog Audio Out

- 96kHz/24-bit audio digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion

- 27MHz/8-bit video digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion

- Network-compatible with a built-in Ethernet port

Although the Super Multi Blue Player lacks complete support for HD DVD & apparently does not play CD's, it's a step in the right direction in ending the high definition format wars.

The Departed; HD DVD Review

2007-02-14T17:48:00.000-08:00

I just picked up The Departed on HD DVD and thought I'd review it. Being a fan of Scorcese movies, I loved this movie when I saw it in the theater, and would place it along side Goodfellas & Casino. I loved it even more seeing it the second time through my Toshiba HD-A1 & Pioneer plasma screen.

I think it's a great movie, well written (love the dialogue), with excellent acting. All three of the principles, Nicholson, DiCaprio & Matt Damon could have been nominated for Oscars along side Mark Wahlberg.

The video is encoded using 1080p/VC-1 compression, for both the HD DVD & Blu-ray versions. Picture quality is outstanding, with bright popping colors, finely textured dark scenes, impressive close-ups, and excellent detail & depth.

The audio on the HD DVD version features a Dolby TrueHD soundtrack (the Blu-ray version has an uncompressed PCM 5.1 soundtrack). With the exception of a few key scenes, the audio mix is front-heavy for the majority of the movie. Perhaps a somewhat restrained soundtrack, the audio is never the less clear, crisp and well balanced throughout.

In short The Departed is another great Scorsese film that should finally earn him at least a best director Oscar. If your a Scorsese fan, or a fan of mob movies in general then this is a definite must for your collection. If you're still on the fence waiting out the format wars, it's movies like this that make a compelling reason to buy into either format.

Zune News

2007-02-05T17:42:00.000-08:00

Microsoft plans a smart phone version of it's WiFi music player to be released in time for Christmas '07. It will run something similar to the Zune interface and connect to the XBOX 360 for streaming video to phone wirelessly.

Microsoft is also making plans for Zune "filling stations," places where you can literally pull in and download. A virtual shop on existing Wi-Fi networks like those at Starbucks & McDonald's, making it easier for Zuners to get access to downloads no matter where they are.

In the mean time while we wait for this to happen, you might want to check out Zune Reactor and get an unlimited access pass to download as many songs, HD-quality movies and TV shows, as well as the latest Zune downloads as soon as they are released. It's well worth a look.

Windows Vista

2007-02-01T18:09:00.000-08:00

So with the release of Windows Vista, I just had to find out more. If you're like me and comfortable with XP, you might wonder why upgrade and go through the growing pains of a new operating system.

Well here's the spec's, Vista is a more secure and reliable operating system with many new and intuitive ways to view, organize and access your files. Improving on XP's vulnerability to hackers and malicious software, Vista has a built-in two-way firewall to monitor what's coming in and going out of your computer.

Vista also has a redesigned user interface with the introduction of "gadgets" on the right hand side of the desktop. Referred to as Windows Sidebar this area of the desktop contains these "gadgets"or mini-applications that are sticky notes for little reminders, local weather, a calculator, photo to slideshow, news headlines, and RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds.
Windows Media Center is also included, so you'll be able to watch and record live TV, connect a supported media player, and edit your photos and home movies.

Windows Vista comes in four versions Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate, with prices ranging from $129 - $499 depending on the version and if it's an upgrade.

The iPhone

2007-01-24T19:31:00.000-08:00

Now that the dust has settled on the recently announced iPhone, I thought I'd take a closer look at Apple's innovative new device.

Available in June exclusively through Cingular in the U.S. (and most likely Rogers in Canada sometime in 2008). The iPhone is a combination mobile phone, media player and internet device that includes a revolutionary touch screen interface called "multi-touch." It has no buttons, no keyboard, no real external controls, everything is done by making taps and zipping your fingers along the touchscreen. A cool feature, but for the fact that it requires the use of both hands.

The iPhone features a widescreen 3.5 inch display with a resolution of 320 X 480, weighs 4.8 ounces (135 grams) and is less than a half inch thick. It runs a version of OS X (Apple's standard desktop computer operating system), with full iTunes integration and can seamlessly sync data with a Mac or PC. It also features an 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 capabilities with 3G capabilities reportedly to come in the future.

The downside, the relatively steep $499(4GB) - $599(8Gb) price tag, and a non-replaceable battery with only "a five hour window of talk time." Meaning that for day to day usage, talking, watching videos, or surfing the web, expect the battery to last five hours.

Will the downsides be enough to keep the majority of consumers away, we'll just have to wait and see. One thing is definite, the iPhone is sure to revolutionize the mobile device industry.

PSP Downloading

2007-01-22T18:10:00.000-08:00

With all the recent buzz about Sony's PS3 , you might think that the PSP would be forgotten. Not to worry, it's still popular & because of it's portability & versitility it's guaranteed to be around for a long time.

The cool thing about the PSP is that it's not only good for gaming, but you can also watch full DVD quality movies, Tv shows, video clips & music videos. Download the files to your computer from a site like this one, then using a PSP USB cable or compatible memory stick reader, and at least a 256MB memory card, transfer the files straight to your PSP. You then have the choice of playing them on your computer, a DVD player, or your PSP.