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Dragon Age: Inquisition 1080p on PS4, 900p on Xbox One
Dragon Age: Inquisition will run at 1080p on PS4 and 900p on Xbox One, BioWare announced in a tweet. The disparity between platforms wasn't a concerted design choice, the message said. "We maximized the current potential of each platform," the tweet said. The capabilities of the PS4 and Xbox One have been under extra scrutiny this week, following comments from Assassin's Creed: Unity developers that "you don't gain much" from maxed-out framerate and resolution. Assassin's Creed: Unity is locked at 900p and 30fps on Xbox One and PS4. Historically, the PS4 has proven to be more consistent than the Xbox One in running games at 1080p and 60fps. PC requirements for Dragon Age: Inquisition are also out today, with a minimum of 4GB RAM and a recommended 8GB RAM, minimum DirectX 10 and recommended DirectX 11, and a necessary 26GB hard drive space. See the full specs below. Dragon Age: Inquisition launches on November 18.
Assassin's Creed devs weigh in on the demands of 60fps
Assassin's Creed: Unity will run at 30fps on PS4 and Xbox One, and Ubisoft isn't interested in pushing that number higher because action-adventure games feel better below 60fps, Creative Director Alex Amancio told Techradar. Amancio said it's the same case with resolution (Unity runs at 900p). "If the game looks gorgeous, who cares about the number?" he asked. Level Design Director Nicolas Guérin shared the sentiment, saying that Ubisoft for a long time wanted to hit 60fps in its games, but "you don't gain that much" from it.
Assassin's Creed: Unity at 900p, 30fps on Xbox One, PS4
Assassin's Creed: Unity will be locked at 900p and 30fps on both Xbox One and PS4 when it launches in November, Senior Producer Vincent Pontbriand tells VideoGamer. "We decided to lock them at the same specs to avoid all the debates and stuff," Pontbriand says. Most games in the new console generation hit 1080p, though the PS4 has more consistently supported higher resolutions and frame rates than the Xbox One, and that has been a point of contention for some players. Others see the entire debate as "a PR differentiation." Pontbriand says that the limiting factor on new consoles is the available CPU and AI computation, not graphics processing. "It's the CPU [that] has to process the AI, the number of NPCs we have on screen, all these systems running in parallel," he says. "We were quickly bottlenecked by that and it was a bit frustrating because we thought that this was going to be a tenfold improvement over everything AI-wise, and we realized it was going to be pretty hard. It's not the number of polygons that affect the framerate. We could be running at 100fps if it was just graphics, but because of AI, we're still limited to 30fps." Ubisoft is beefing up Assassin's Creed: Unity in other ways – the dev team rewrote "6 million lines of code" for the new game, Creative Director Alex Amancio told Joystiq. For historical context, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag received a post-launch patch on PS4 that bumped the game's resolution from 900p to 1080p. Assassin's Creed: Unity launches on November 11 for PS4, Xbox One and PC. [Image: Ubisoft]
Destiny makes its 1080p Xbox One premiere
Though Bungie couldn't manage 1080p resolution for Destiny's Xbox One beta, the developer is committed to hitting that mark for the final, retail release. For proof, look no further than the above footage. Courtesy IGN, this clip is the first look at Destiny running at 1080p and 30 frames per second on an Xbox One. According to the commentary, the developers worked closely with Microsoft to optimize this version of Destiny, which allows Bungie to match the graphical fidelity of the PlayStation 4. While this video probably won't end fanboy squabbles over which console is superior, Bungie wants players to know that neither Xbox One nor PlayStation 4 can boast a drastically enhanced version of the open-universe shooter. "It's the same everywhere," states graphics engineer Chris Tchou. [Image: Activision]
Forza Horizon 2 hits 1080p, 30fps on Xbox One
Forza Horizon 2 on Xbox One will run at 1080p and locked at 30 frames per second, Creative Director Ralph Fulton told IGN. "I think what we did on Horizon was demonstrate that, and this is really important, a locked frame rate that's absolutely solid and never drops is the most important thing for our game," Fulton said. "30 [fps] actually enables us to realize that experience." He continued, "I think I remember that's always a hot-button topic, until a game comes out and people go, 'Oh, this actually really works.' But 1080p was an absolute must for us; it's the benchmark for next-gen." Forza Horizon 2 takes place in Southern Europe. Fulton is with Playground Games, the studio developing the Xbox One version of Forza Horizon 2. The Xbox 360 edition is in development at Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed studio, Sumo Digital. Forza Horizon 2 is due out in the fall on Xbox 360 and Xbox One. [Image: Playground Games]
Samsung's latest 8MP cameraphone sensor has backside illumination, zero shutter lag (Update: specs)
Samsung hasn't shown off all of its new tech at MWC 2012 yet, but one more early announcement is a new "premium" cameraphone sensor, the 8MP S5K3H7. Its new 1.4um CMOS shown above features backside illumination (BSI) technology for better quality in low light -- just like the iPhone 4/4S camera and HTC's just-announced ImageChip -- as well as the promise of zero shutter lag and 30fps 1080p video all while using less power than previous generations. There's no word yet on which phones will include the new imaging chip, but it should go into mass production in the next couple of months.Update: Looking for more numbers? The English PR is out now and confirms a slim form factor 8.5mm x 8.5mm camera module with 5.5mm height dimension capable of 120fps 720p or 240fps slow motion video recording. Check the data yourself in the press release after the break.
Swann releases Freestyle HD, begs you to capture 1080p underwater via LCD viewer
Looking to step your game up when capturing surfing footage from atop your longboard? Swann is aiming to lend a helping hand with its newfangled Freestyle HD wearable video camera. This offering is the company's first that sports a detachable 1.5-inch LCD viewer for taking a peek at your 1080p video capture in real-time -- which you can capture at up to 30 fps. You'll also be able to snap eight megapixel JPEGs should you so choose with 3x digital zoom at your disposal. Waterproof at depths up to 65 feet, the Freestyle HD can be helmet-mounted, attached to your favorite fixed-gear or the roof of your rally car via the three included mounting brackets. The camera will connect directly to an HDTV for viewing, or you can hop over to a PC via a microSD card or USB transfer. You can expect 2.5-hour battery life and a $279 price tag to boot -- too bad that flight to the southern hemisphere isn't nearly as affordable.%Gallery-138657%
ContourRoam waterproof camera takes hands-free filmmaking underwater
Contour has already produced a handful of imagers for football players and cyclists, but the company has now come out with a solution for underwater explorers, as well, with its first waterproof camera -- the ContourRoam. This hands-free device boasts a super wide-angle, 170-degree rotating lens, capable of capturing HD video in three different resolutions (1080p, 960p, and 720p) at 30fps. Its lens can also rotate up to 270 degrees, and projects a horizontal laser to help you align your shots. The camera's instant on-record option, meanwhile, allows you to start recording as soon as you turn it on, while its waterproof aluminum body lets you shoot video at underwater depths of up to one meter for up to 30 minutes at a time -- meaning you can leave that old ContourHD case at home. Aspiring Steve Zissous can buy one now for $200, at the source link below. Otherwise, just wade past the break for more information, in the full presser.
Contour+ helmet cam goes official, bringing 1080p video with wider viewing angle
Remember that Contour Plus helmet cam teased by a cheeky cyclist last month? Well, this is it, though it turns out the name's actually written as Contour+. Like the ContourGPS, this new imager captures 1080p video at 30fps, and also packs built-in GPS plus Bluetooth v2.1 -- the latter's for the wireless viewfinder app on iOS and, eventually, Android. The difference between these two cameras? Well, ignoring the colors and the extra 3mm in length, the Contour+ does indeed come with a mini HDMI-out port alongside the microSD slot on the back. Better yet, you'll also find an HDMI cable in the box to get you going. And of course, let's not forget the new super-wide lens (still rotatable) that does 170 degrees for 960p and 720p recording, or 125 degrees for 1080p. Both modes best the camera's predecessor, though the trade-off is the lack of dual-alignment lasers. If this isn't a problem for you, then feel free to shell out $499.99 when it launches on May 18th. Update: We have PR after the break. [Thanks, Daniel H.]
E Ink dashes hopes of a next gen display in 2011, but pencils in full-motion video for 2012
E Ink Holdings is brazenly making us wait until 2012 before producing a successor to its popular Pearl electronic paper display. One of the company's VPs dropped into CNET's offices to spill the bad news: developing and testing a next-generation display "takes some time", apparently, and it is sticking to a two year product cycle. Perhaps E Ink has shifted its focus to the LCD screen in Amazon's rumoured tablet. Or maybe it's still working on the Triton color e-ink display that left us so underwhelmed at CES. Either way, the monochrome Pearl has been knocking around in the Kindle and other e-readers for a while now and although it has better contrast than earlier iterations, it is still ripe for a revamp -- especially a faster refresh rate. But the E Ink VP did hint at some brighter news: the next-gen display, when it does finally arrive, could sport full-motion video. So far e-ink video has failed to go beyond a slightly jittery 10-15fps, so full-motion 24fps or 30fps could definitely be worth the wait.
Nikon D5100 and ME-1 external mic coming April 21st, we go hands-on (video)
Okay, so Nikon kind of spoiled the surprise with this one, but we can now enlighten you with the full details of its upcoming midrange (or "advanced beginner" as Nikon calls it) DSLR refresh. The D5100 takes the spot of the venerable D5000, but follows the previous generation's recipe for success pretty closely. The D5000 was a stripped-down D90 in a simpler, smaller package that came with an articulating LCD, and the D5100 just so happens to feature the same mighty 16.2 megapixel sensor as the D7000 (Nikon's current high-end consumer DSLR) augmented with a flipout screen. Having the D7000's internals helps the new shooter churn out 1080p video at 24fps, 25fps, or 30fps, depending on your preference for up to a maximum of 20 minutes. The D5000 is only capable of five-minute bursts of 720/24p video and isn't able to continually autofocus, which the D5100 can. The D5100 also betters its predecessor in terms of physical fitness, coming in at a healthy 10 percent lighter and smaller, while a good number of the physical controls have been repositioned in order to allow for a new horizontal opening mechanism. That'll be a well appreciated tweak for tripod users. The new screen's also 17 percent thinner, we're told, and steps up to a 3-inch diagonal with a 920k-dot resolution. Solid stuff. After the break you'll find a full spec sheet along with some video action with the D5100. Pricing for this camera is set at $800 / €777 / £670 for the body only or $900 / €904 / £780 for the body plus an 18-55mm VR kit lens. The ME-1 external mic introduced alongside it -- did we not mention the D5100 has an external mic input -- will cost $180 / €139 / £120 and both are expected in stores on April 21st. %Gallery-120375% %Gallery-120376% %Gallery-120374%
Confirmed: EVO 4G update removes framerate cap
You hoped, you opined, you might have even prayed -- and as it turns out, you win. As many of you have suspected, the latest firmware update to Sprint / HTC's EVO 4G does, in fact, let us break past the former 30 frames per second barrier. You know, the one HTC said couldn't be crossed with software updates alone. At least, it did for our handheld, as you can see above. Good news for everyone bothered by this (now seemingly) artificial limit -- now back to your regularly-scheduled WiMAX enjoyment.
EVO 4G loses 30fps limit thanks to devoted community (video)
Whatever the reason HTC instituted that 30fps cap on the EVO's graphical output, the issue has just been remedied by -- surprise, surprise -- coders over at xda-developers. We've come across video evidence of the EVO 4G rolling along at a swift 54fps average clip, and another motion picture reel shows the positive effect this has had on the touch-tracking of the handset. Check them both out after the break and hit the source to get educated on how to make this happen on your own EVO. You should be warned that there are still some issues to resolve before the whole thing's buttery smooth, but hey, it's still a lot better than waiting for HTC to do it. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
HTC EVO 4G's graphics capped at 30FPS?
Reports are flying in from across the internet -- and by that we mean the xda-developers and Google Code forums -- that the EVO 4G might have something of a framerate issue. It seems that the device is "locked in" at 30 frames per second both in 2D (Canvas) and 3D (openGL) modes, while anecdotally, a phone like the Hero hits 54fps on average and has "smoother scrolling" in the menus. This apparently is visible both with the standard Sense UI installed and with the Froyo preview build, although in the latter case the Nexus One bootup video is 60fps before halving upon reaching the home screen. So, wherein lies the culprit? For Google's part, Android framework engineer "Romain Guy" responded to one thread reasserting the platform team's "target was, is and will be 60fps." We can't imagine it's related to the hardware given the EVO's impressive specs. Some fingers, ergo, are being pointed towards firmware. This wouldn't be the first time HTC's handsets have come under scrutiny for troubling graphical performance -- 2008 was not the company's finest year in that department. Whatever the reason is, we just want a quick resolve -- after all, it's just not fair when our Hero-carrying buddies are scoring better benchmarks.
Casio's high-speed EX-FS10 bursts into stores a little later and pricier than expected
Looking to get some bodacious slow-mo shots of your latest kick-flip? Maybe fake a moon landing or two? Or, how about taking some blurry 9.1 megapixel pictures through a 3x non-stabilized zoom lens? All this can be yours, dear readers, later this month when Casio launches the EX-FS10 point-and-shoot, capable of capturing full-res video at 30fps or cut-rate 224 x 64 footage at a whopping 1000fps. If you don't mind pasty cameras (and live in Japan) you can buy yourself one in white on March 27. Red and gray versions will ship a few weeks later, on April 10, all for around $450.[Via Impress]
Casio's burst-recordin' EX-FC100 pocket cam reviewed
It's not enough for pocket cams to just shoot high-def video any more. Oh no, they have to do something fancy with it, like Casio's EX-FS10 and EX-FC100, both offering capture at up to 1,000 fps. The latter of those two, with its 5x optical zoom and 9.1 megapixel resolution, has been given the review treatment ahead of its US release, and the little burst-shooter seems to deliver. 30fps stills at 6 megapixels look clear and sharp, while watching the cam switch from 30fps to 210fps video on the fly is still an impressive thing to see -- especially when it's UNLV cheerleaders we're watching in slow-mo, as embedded below. Low-light photography was not found to be this cam's strong point, but it rarely is with shooters this size, so if you're looking for something to capture your own (well-lit) Mythbusters segments with at home, and you have about $400 to spare, this could be your cam. Go team!
Sony intros the makeup-inducing PCS-XG80 1080i video conferencing system
The kind, loving folks over at Sony claim that they're about to explode the video conferencing market wide open -- HD style -- and we've got front row seats to the festivities. According to the electronics-maker, the PCS-XG80 is the industry's first 1080i, HD conferencing solution, and will provide dual streaming, 30 FPS performance over IP or ISDN connections. The system is backwards-compatible with its older SD setups, and we assume it plays nice with the behemoth's earlier HD effort, the PCS-HG90 -- though you might want to double check on that before dropping the $8,999 that the company is asking for the system. Finally, you can really see just how ugly the home office is.
Motorola set to unveil video-optimized handset
Speaking at this week's Software 2007 gathering in California, Motorola CEO Ed Zander took a break from his company's woes and struggles to share the news that Moto's got a rather exciting new phone waiting in the wings. Details were slim -- the phone was apparently just mentioned in passing as part of the speech -- but the as-yet-unnamed handset is said to be video-centric, capable of a solid 30 frames per second for enjoying movies via SD card. Like other hot Motorolas in recent memory, Zander indicated that it'd be slated for a European release when it's officially announced next week. Any guess as to what the four-letter MOTONAME for this one might be?
MotorStorm 720p, 30fps (not True HD)
The 'True HD' concept is certainly off to a rocky start on Sony's console that could. Despite confirmation from SCEA senior VP of marketing Peter Dille that MotorStorm would rocket to the US at 60fps in glorious 1080p, Sony today rescinded that remark. MotorStorm, alas, will be presented in lowly 720p, chugging along at 30fps.Seriously though, those numbers will keep MotorStorm competitive -- and in HD. We just couldn't miss out on an opportunity to muffle the True HD buzz.[Thanks, Jonah]
iOPS reveals BlueQ 4GB DAP
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then it seems like Korean manufacturer iOPS has mad love for almost all of the major DAP makers on the market. Having already taken design cues from Samsung's YP-U1 and Apple's iPod mini -- they actually got sued for that one -- it looks like the company now has its sights set on the iRiver Clix with its latest offering, the BlueQ. Formerly known as the Q18, this model sports a 1.8-inch, 262,000-color screen, up to 4GB of flash storage capacity, and most impressively, Bluetooth support for wireless enjoyment of your tunes or 30fps vids. Expect to see the BlueQ in stores sometime in mid-August for an unknown price, but probably not in the US. Watch out Sandisk and Creative -- we hear that iOPS' engineers just got their hands on a Sansa and Zen V.[Via DAPreview, photo courtesy of popco]
