STV
Latest
Hillcrest Labs takes its TV motion control system to China, becomes TCL's new best friend
It's only been a few days since Hillcrest Labs open sourced its Kylo web browser for TVs, and now the company's back with yet another announcement. Well, this time it's more about TCL who's just declared its top TV market share in China. Much like the Roku 2 and LG TVs with Magic Motion remote, Hillcrest's Freespace engine has been outted as the enabling technology behind TCL's recently announced V7500, a 3D smart TV series featuring a heavily customized Android 4.0.3 and a 7.9mm-thick bezel. This means users can interact with and play games on this slim TV via motion and cursor control on the remote (there's also voice control here but it doesn't look like Hillcrest has anything to do with it). There are no dates or prices just yet, but TCL better be quick as Lenovo's got something very similar ready to ship soon.
Cataclysm Beta: Northern Stranglethorn and The Cape of Stranglethorn
There are several reasons people disliked Stranglethorn Vale in vanilla WoW. I could go into detail about the confusion that The Green Hills of Stranglethorn presents to new players. I could tell you about the lack of coherent direction in questing. I could harp on the horrors of the multiple quests with low drop rates. I could spend an entire article just talking about the amount of running around you have to do. Alternatively, I could just tell you that it's all fixed in Cataclysm -- all of it. The usual caveats apply: this is spoiler-heavy, some stuff is incomplete and it's from an Alliance perspective. The first thing you should know, if you don't already, is that Stranglethorn Vale has been split in two by a gigantic whirlpool, dividing it into Northern Stranglethorn and the Cape of Stranglethorn. %Gallery-98117% %Gallery-97186%
Choose My Adventure: Andrenorton lives
Choose the adventures of the WoW.com staff as we level our characters in <It came from the Blog> on Zangarmarsh (US-H). It looks like we'll be heading to Stranglethorn Vale by an overwhelming majority. As for Matthew Rossi's mage, you voted to have him keep it. Technically, there were more votes for other classes if you add them together. So I gave Matt the option of switching to druid (the winner of the other classes) or remaining a mage. He chose to keep Andrenorton. The schedule changed a teeny bit since it's a holiday week. Anne Stickney as Annephora, the troll warrior, will be on Tuesday at 1 a.m. EDT (which is Monday at 11 p.m. Zangarmarsh time) Christian Belt, as Selfloathius, blood elf warlock: Tuesday, 11:30 p.m. EDT Michael Sacco as Sahko, the orc warlock: Wednesday, 7 p.m. EDT Elizabeth Harper as Faience, the troll shaman, and Robin Torres as Robinemia, the undead mage: Wednesday, 11 p.m. EDT Amy Schley as Patent, the troll rogue: Thursday, 10 p.m. EDT Fox Van Allen as Foxlight, the blood elf paladin: Friday, 8 p.m. EDT Matthew Rossi as Andrenorton, the troll mage, Michael Gray as Grayfields, the tauren hunter, Adam Holisky as Adammentat, the tauren druid, and Gregg Reece as Yakkowakko, the orc warlock, will be making appearances as they can %Gallery-89597% If you want to join in on the fun of Choose My Adventure, please join us on US Zangarmarsh-H in <It came from the Blog>. Ask Robiness, Robinemia or any member online for an invite. Guild ranks of Lurker or above have the ability to invite. You are all welcome as long as you play by our simple rules, that can be summed up with "Don't be a Funsucker!" Also, please see the guild FAQ for the most common questions.
Reminder: Gurubashi Beatdown II today
<It came from the Blog> is having its second Gurubashi Beatdown today. If you have a Horde character on US Zangarmarsh that is at least level 55 and has an epic mount (with stars or otherwise), you are welcome to join us for some games in the Gurubashi Arena. We are also having another pre-event mixer today. This will take place near the fishing trainer in Orgrimmar and I hear that a few of my fellow WoW.com staffers will be showing up to chat with us. Here are the event stats: When The mixer will begin today, Apr. 18, 5:00 p.m. EDT (2:00 p.m. PDT, 3:00 p.m. server time). We will head to Gurubashi Arena at 5:30 p.m. Where Meet at the waterfall in the Valley of Honor, Orgrimmar on US Zangarmarsh-H. Who Any character level 55 and up that is in good standing with the Horde. (If you are a DK, you need to have Thrall's blessing to join us.) Any level is invited to the mixer. What First we will hang out, fish and chat at the mixer. Then we will ride to Gurubashi Arena together to play some games in which we kill each other. How Send a tell to Robinella or any <It came from the Blog> member for an invite to the guild. Just like last time, our first game will be to see how quickly you can punch Robinella, my death knight, to death. I'll reveal the remaining games as we play. Here are some snapshots of the last Gurubashi Beatdown: %Gallery-88810% Please join us on US Zangarmarsh-H in <It came from the Blog>. Ask Robiness, Robinemia or any member online for an invite. Guild ranks of Lurker or above have the ability to invite. You are all welcome as long as you play by our simple rules, that can be summed up with "Don't be a Funsucker!" Also, please see the guild FAQ for the most common questions.
Patch 3.3 PTR: Kalu'ak Fishing Derby details
News flash! Tired of getting ganked in Stranglethorn Vale for the weekly fishing contest? Well worry no more as our favourite walking walruses, the Kalu'ak, are hosting their own fishing tournament in Northrend every Wednesday when patch 3.3 drops! Some details have been released in the recent 10676 build. Great! What are the details? Elder Clearwater is going to hang out in Dalaran for exactly one hour for a Blacktip Shark that you have to catch and return to him. The event starts at 8:00 PM on Wednesday. If you're looking for a tip though, apparently the elusive Blacktip Shark seems to favour Pygmy Suckerfish. Keep a few handy in your bags when you're going fishing. Don't worry though as even if you don't end up being the champion angler, you'll still receive a reward just for turning the shark in. On an achievement related note, the Master Angler of Stranglethorn achievement has been changed to Master Angler of Azeroth. Winning the Stranglethorn Fishing Extravaganza or the Kalu'ak Fishing Derby will be enough to meet the requirements for the achievement. We're not quite sure as to what the prizes are yet, but according to the Warcraft twitter, a new heirloom ring awaits the winner! Patch 3.3 is the last major patch of Wrath of the Lich King. With the new Icecrown Citadel 5-man dungeons and 10/25-man raid arriving soon, patch 3.3 will deal the final blow to the Arthas. WoW.com's Guide to Patch 3.3 will keep you updated with all the latest patch news.
Breakfast Topic: Camping out
I have a love/hate relationship with Stranglethron Vale. I find the quests to be interesting, and I like the colors used in the zone. It is, however, a hotbed of PvP action. On a PvP server there are always opportunities to gank or be ganked. This tends to lead to an escalation of alts. It goes something like this. 1. You get ganked while killing Bloodscalp Trolls.2. You resurrect and wait for the perfect opportunity to exact your retribution.3. They log onto their level 70 and one-shot your level 32 alt.4. You log into your 70, fold, spindle, and mutilate your foe's 70 until they cry for help.5. Their buddy joins the fight.6. Your buddy joins the fight.7. Half of their guild rushes to STV.8. Your guild matches their fire power. It's really interesting to watch something like that happen. I'm not sure how anyone who has no 70s on the server survives the most ganktastic zones in the game. I can't quite comprehend how people can feel compelled to hang out in these zones at high levels just for ganking. I imagine that they're all either bitter about their own leveling experiences, or maybe they're short.
Around Azeroth: One zeppelin, two zeppelin...
Ben writes in with this zeppelin-filled screenshot from Grom'Gol in Stranglethorn Vale. Though I'm sure some of our readers could do a bit of math and come up with some exact numbers on how often two zeppelins arrived in Grom'Gol at once, I'll simply say it's an uncommon sight. Or, as Ben says, a "memorable event!"Do you have any unusual World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? Because we'd love to see your idea of the best looking instance on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@wow.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! %Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: The welcome committee
Though screenshots do not, by default, have sound enabled, I can very nearly hear this smiling Goblin heartily welcoming us to Booty Bay. (Of course, being a Goblin, he would immediately segue into selling us something.) Reader Elaynea of Lightbringer sent us this shot with the title "Rio de Goblineiro" -- and, well, with that much Goblin on-screen, how could it be anything else?Haven't filled your Goblin quota for the day? Send us your Goblin-themed images to us on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@wow.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next!%Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Under the sea
The worst part about finding huge skeletons in game is the fact that what is now a skeleton was once a living creature. What sort of creature left these bones behind, what sort of creature killed that creature, and is the second creature still around?! Run! Hide! Er... ahem.What I'm trying to say is that Gitr sent us this shot, telling us that it's located in Stranglethorn Vale, nestled on the ocean floor between the land and the water elemental island off the northwest coast. But for my part, I still advise all potential visitors to take a wide berth around those fangs...!Do you have a unique shot of Azeroth or Outland that you'd like to show off to the rest of the world? Tell us about it by e-mailing a copy to aroundazeroth@wow.com, with as much or as little detail as you'd like to share with the world! %Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Zeppelin crash!
I honestly think I've spent a lot of time exploring Azeroth, but this scene in Stranglethorn Vale is a new one on me. I'm not quite sure exactly where in STV this crashed zeppelin is located, but I agree with Pyrana of Scarlet Crusade, who sent us this shot, noting, "Maybe I'll think twice about taking the zeppelin from Grom'Gol to Undercity from here on out..."Do you have a unique shot of Azeroth or Outland that you'd like to show off to the rest of the world? Tell us about it by e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com! Or perhaps you'd just like to see more of your pics from Around Azeroth. %Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Our favorite view in Stranglethorn Vale
For today's episode of Around Azeroth, we're wandering away from Outland to revisit one of our favorite views of the old world. And if you don't recognize the shot above, I have to say I'd be very curious to know where you leveled between 30 and 45 or so! But for those of you who don't know what we're looking at, it's a shot of the Goblin statue that stands on a tiny island just outside the port of Booty Bay. In this sunset shot, sent in by reader Kalku of Dath'Remar, it looks quite tranquil.Do you have a unique shot of Azeroth or Outland that you'd like to show off to the rest of the world? Tell us about it by e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com! Or perhaps you'd just like to see more of your pics from Around Azeroth. %Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: But where does the water come from? (Revisited)
You may recall recently seeing an Around Azeroth post featuring a screenshot of one of the many floating islands in Nagrand (and Outland in general), this one with a waterfall falling gracefully over the sides. I wondered, at the time, where the water was coming from to create this never-ending waterfall. Today, reader Fanny of Twisting Nether sends in a shot taken from Stranglethorn Vale, near Booty Bay, showing where water within Azeroth comes from -- out of thin air! I've got to say this explains everything... if Azerothian waterfalls can come from nowhere, why should Outland waterfalls be any different?Do you have a unique shot of Azeroth or Outland that you'd like to show off to the rest of the world? Tell us about it by e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com! Or perhaps you'd just like to see more of your pics from Around Azeroth. %Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Welcome to Yojamba Isle
Reader Tiffa sends in this shot of Yojamba Isle, which looks like the ideal setting for a beach party, doesn't it? Blue sky overhead and palm trees below! However, the Zandalar tribe which resides here is a serious lot, dedicated to the fight against Hakkar, the Blood God, and his minions in Zul'Gurub. But if you fancy some good times in old Azeroth, pay the Zandalar a visit! The fights in Zul'Gurub remain some of my favorite in the game.Do you have a unique shot of Azeroth or Outland that you'd like to show off to the rest of the world? Tell us about it by e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com! Or perhaps you'd just like to see more of your pics from Around Azeroth. %Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Why does it always have to be murlocs?
While you can't see all of the majesty of the Vile Reef from here, these ruins are are just off to the side. I think I'd even enjoy the place if it weren't for the swarming aggressive murlocs and the constant danger of drowning. Reader Arral of Arathor (EU) sent in this shot, noting the amount of time Blizzard put into this game -- even detailing these underwater areas.Do you have a unique shot of Azeroth or Outland that you'd like to show off to the rest of the world? Tell us about it by e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com! You can attach a picture file or send us a link to one -- and don't worry about formatting, we'll take care of that part.See more of your pics from Around Azeroth.%Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: The green hills of Stranglethorn
Chef from Medivh sends in this shot that perfectly captures the essence of Stranglethorn Vale. Well, okay -- it's the essence of the zone minus the temples full of angry Trolls and the countless ravenous beasts that wander the land. If you disregard that , though, the place is really quite scenic, don't you think?Do you have a unique shot of Azeroth that you'd like to show off to the rest of the world? Tell us about it by e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com! You can attach a picture file or send us a link to one -- and don't worry about formatting, we'll take care of that part.
Samsung: US LCD sales to rise 75% in '06
Samsung is expecting the US LCD market to explode this year - by 50 to 75%. We already know that LCDs are set to out sell CRTs in a few years so this might not be to far off base. They credit this to high-def gaming and HD DVD/Blu-ray. We think it is more along the lines of dropping prices and the increase in quality. Who doesn't want one of the nice, thin screens? A good amount of the videophiles that do the high-def gaming and movie watching already have a HDTV, but it is the Mom and Pop of America that is making the upgrade.Do you plan on buying a LCD this year. Many of you indicated that you already have.
More info on Panasonic's VX600 plamsa line
Panasonic announced a new line of their award winning plasmas yesterday but the specs about the TVs was not released to late last night. But we got ya covered now. Panasonic is working hard on increasing the black level on these new sets. They can reach a maximum contrast ratio of 10,000:1 with a standard at 4,000:1. They also are putting in some propriety stuff called Deep Black Filter and upgraded the already existing Real Black Drive System. One of the biggest upgrades from the PX500 series is the amount of gradient they can show. These new sets can do up to 50% more then they last years cousins. These new plasmas will be available in the Japanese market on April 15th. No word on when they will be available over here in the states though. Lets hope soon!
CES: Comcast announces deals with Panasonic, Samsung on HDTV DVR's
As Engadget reported during the press conference, Panasonic and Comcast announced a partnership to distribute Panasonic set top boxes. No real information on how these will differ functionally from the Motorola & Scientific Atlanta boxes already in use in many Comcast areas, but the focus of the partnership appears to be using one remote to control a variety of devices, we'll see how that works out.Also, Comcast has announced a deal with Samsung to distribute their set top boxes, these will apparently feature the ability to connect digital music players and digital camera to the boxes. It will be interesting to see how all this works, plus we should be seeing the first Comcast boxes with Tivo software on them in 2006.
