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Dual analog mod, now 95% less scary
The internet loved seeing the dual-analog PSP in action. Too bad it looked as bad as Britney Spears' you-know-what. Well, the creative people of Next PSP Hacks have come up with a much more attractive solution: dual analog nubs, which are cased internally and symmetrically. Looking at the video they provided, it seems like this is what the PSP should've had in the first place! Of course, I wouldn't rip apart my PSP to attempt what must have been a daunting installation.[Via PlayStation]
Dual analog PSP becomes gaming's hottest video
With more than 60,000 views and counting, this video of a PSP modded with two analog sticks, is gaming's hottest video on YouTube. Well, at least according to the Joystiq folks. It makes sense, though: this is the single most wanted feature for a PSP revision. Although this modification won't allow for true analog on the right hand (it's simply replicating the actions of the face buttons), it should feel quite natural for DualShock (and Sixaxis) players. However, as cool as this mod is, I wouldn't want my system to look like that.See also:Analog stick from the "ghetto"Beef jerky + magic = PSP analog stick
Evesham unveils budget lineup of Alqemi LCD HDTVs
While Evesham's 47-inch LCD TV may have a long list of niceties that would surely bring a smile to any HD addict's face, the rather hefty pricetag might just scare a few folks away. Apparently making sure that its got the low and mid-range customers covered as well, Evesham is busting out a bevy of new displays at much lower price points. The Alqemi lineups boasts 32-, 37-, and 42-inch panels, with all five sporting WXGA resolutions, 8-millisecond response time, 500 cd/m2 brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio (save for the bottom-end's curiously high 1200:1 spec), and integrated stereo speakers. Evesham further segregates the models by offering a low-end 32-inch version (peep a pic after the jump) with the bare necessities (HDMI, component / S-Video / composite, VGA, and an analog tuner) for £499 ($970), while offering mid-range units with DVB-T / analog hybrid tuners (with Digital Tick support), and a 42-inch flagship (Alqemi SX; pictured after the break) that boasts PIP and Virtual Dolby surround sound. Evesham's budget lineup tops at £1,399 ($2,718), with the mid-range units ranging from £599 ($1,164) to £899 ($1,747), and can be picked up now on the other side of the pond.Read - Evesham 32-inch Alqemi LCD TVRead - Evesham 32-inch Alqemi SX LCD TVRead - Evesham 37-inch Alqemi S LCD TVRead - Evesham 37-inch Alqemi SX LCD TVRead - Evesham 42-inch Alqemi SX LCD TV
Most wanted feature in next PSP? Not a touch screen.
Pocket Gamer recently polled its readers, asking what feature it would most want in the next-generation PSP. The most requested feature? Dual analog sticks. The older demographic of the PSP has made it a hotbed for more mature games, like first person shooters. However, the single analog nub simply doesn't do the genre justice. The addition of a second analog stick would help ease player's ability to navigate through the PSP's already-detailed 3D worlds. Although touch-screen support didn't win, it came in mightily close, in second place. Of course, if Sony did put a touch screen in the next system, people would accuse them of copying a crucial control feature from another company. Not that they've ever done that before...
OnStar could go black for millions of analog subscribers in '08
If you just so happened to pick up a 2004 (or earlier) year model GM vehicle while waiting for that oh-so-tempting self-driving edition to land in '08, and can't wait to take full advantage of the svelte built-in OnStar system, you better start now. When analog networks have the option to go silent in 2008, vehicles equipped with analog-only hardware will not be able to communicate with those friendly voices on the other end of the blue button, which could leave some (previously) loyal GM customers seeing red. All vehicles kitted prior to 2002 will unfortunately not sport the same sense of security they once did, while select vehicles from 2002 to 2004 can be upgraded with digital equipment. Verizon Wireless -- the current network of choice for OnStar -- "has not said how or when it will dismantle its analog network," but will likely pull plugs in stages. While the value of OnStar's service is certainly debatable, leaving a substantial amount of your four million customers without a resolution certainly doesn't bode well if you're looking to snag repeat buyers, but we suppose it's the price you pay for keepin' things fresh.[Via Autoblog]
Beef jerky + magic = PSP analog stick
Okay, so maybe I've been too busy playing all the new releases that have been coming out for PSP in the past few days. Whoops. There's a deluge of stories that slipped our grasp in the past few days, and now, we're going to catch up on them. Our sister site, Engadget, continued the whole add-an-analog-stick-to-your-PSP tutorial a week ago, and it got a bit crazy. If you ever wanted to know how to use beef jerky to make a terrifying analog stick attachment for your PSP, you know where to go. While it's awesome to see such inventiveness at work, I can't help but think that the other analog stick modification was a lot more... elegant.
Analog stick from the "ghetto"
About a week ago, Engadget posted a brilliantly detailed write-up on how to add an analog stick to your PSP. It wasn't attractive, so DCemu forum member Joe Stranger made a better mod. This version of the analog stick modification allows you to plug in the device through a new mini-USB slot he's created, so there's no messy wires hanging out of your system. Another bonus: you'll be able to freely add/remove the hack any time you want, so your PSP doesn't have to look like some weird Frankenstein. Color me impressed. Mr. Stranger talks about the potential for other peripherals to use the mini-USB slot, like a steering wheel... or better yet, a Steel Batallion controller.[Via Joystiq]
"The Device" displays computer data, analog-style
While most of the devices found here on Engadget have digital displays, there's something to be said for an elegant older-style analog dial readout. A clever fellow in Santa Monica, California has just created "The Device: Patented Process Indicating Apparatus," a pair of dials (plus a liquid-like substance along with a big red dot on the top), that will keep track of several things that need metering. That includes anything from "CPU Usage" to eBay Auction Status" to our personal favorite, "The Current GDP of Uzbekistan." From what we can tell, "The Device" connects to your Windows machine (Mac / Linux support is coming soon, apparently) and displays some piece of data generated from your computer or culled from the internet. David Glickman, the Device's creator, hasn't listed a release date nor a retail price for his creation, but we're hoping that one of the dials on his prototype is ticking down to when he's shipping us one. Oh and Mr. Glickman, couldn't you have come up with a better name for this thing -- "The Device" just isn't doing it for us, thanks.
How-To: Add an analog stick to your PSP
If you're sick of using that analog nub, the fine folks at our sister site Engadget has an incredibly detailed write-up on how to take the analog stick from a PS2/Xbox and graft it into your portable device. It won't be easy, but if you take the challenge, you'll see that your system will become stronger, faster... BETTER!
Major Nelson's podcast on the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on
Once again, Xbox Live's Major Nelson has hosted some high definition experts from Microsoft on his weekly podcast, this time three members of the team behind the upcoming HD DVD add-on for the console. Unfortunately, there wasn't much new or interesting information about the upgrade beyond what is already available. The Toshiba-manufactured drive connects via USB 2.0 and outputs video through the Xbox 360's AV connectors, it will support the various interactive menus and iHD features, including the ability to download additional content from the internet. No price still, although they did state it would be the cheapest HD DVD player available. Whether they were referring to its price by itself, combined with an Xbox 360 Core System (>$200), or a Premium System (>$100) remains to be seen. Much like the previous podcast with Amir M., they were noticeably bolstered by the positive reviews HD DVD has received in comparison to Blu-ray and are very confident about its viability.Given an opportunity to comment on any potential issues due to not having HDMI or DVI outputs they totally ignored potential problems with ICT and only chose to comment on the issue as pertaining to video quality. While we can certainly appreciate analog HDTV connectors as much as anyone and the budget Playstation 3 shares the same restrictions, we'd like to hear more on how this player won't be rendered useless by copyright protection before we buy.
Xbox 360 getting an HDMI port soon?
That is the latest rumor from Xbox-Scene, who were also sent the requisite fuzzy picture of what is purported to be an Xbox 360 motherboard with HDMI-out equipped. No word from the anonymous source if this is actually coming soon (or ever), if it could be part of the HD DVD-equipped Xbox 360 that isn't planned, or just a mockup of some kind. We also don't know if this would be a deep color 1080p capable HDMI 1.3 output or...well really anything at all just yet but it makes for an interesting picture. Do you need a digital output on your next-gen console or are you proudly analog forever?[Via Engadget]
Ask HD Beat: DVD upconverting over component?
HD Beat reader Mark writes in with a common question:"I really have no idea who else to ask about this: Given that most of the new HD-DVD and Blu-Ray players will be at least theoretically capable of outputting an HD signal over component cables, it seems odd to me that all the upconverting DVD players only offer the upconversion over HDMI. Are there any that offer upconverting over component? Hell, maybe they all do, and I'm just misreading the specs... but if so, I blame the specs."If you can get high definition formats to output at 1080i or 720p via analog connectors, why not existing DVDs? One word: DRM.
Music Thing: Modern Analog Synths
Each week Tom Whitwell of Music Thing highlights the best of the new music gear that's coming out, as well as noteworthy vintage equipment: A year ago, if you were in a band and wanted to buy a basic monophonic analog synth with a keyboard, you had one option: eBay. Aside from Moog's in-no-way-basic Voyager (yours for $3,000 and up), all the other possibilities had been out of production for 20 years or more. Now all that's changed. A generation of musicians have grown up on the knob-covered retro-flavoured interfaces of software like Propellerheads' Reason. They've bought cheap "Virtual Analog" digital synths like Korg's incredibly popular (and endlessly complained-about) MicroKorg. But now they want the real thing. And if it comes with a guarantee and can actually stay in tune on stage, so much the better.
Macrovision inks deal to put ACP in AACS
After at one point it seemed like Macrovision would be rendered irrelevant by AACS, they are now a part of it. Perhaps in a move to justify stalling the implementation of ICT, AACS LA will include Macrovision's analog content protection technology in their next update. This isn't that surprising as ICT or no, the analog hole is still a major concern for content providers, in fact Macrovision VP Adam Gervin predicted this back in 2004 (he also predicted that high definition DVD formats would be very slow to take off, DVDs had 5 years of growth left in them and that AACS would be cracked). Of course, one has to wonder how this will affect Toshiba's HD DVD player and PC Blu-ray drives that are already on the market.
PS3 pad loses DualShock name and vibration but picks up Wii-esque motion detection and wireless connectivity
In a shocking turn of events, the PS3 controller has gone from banamerang to wireless DualShock 3, except without the DualShock name and vibration.If you take a good look at the back of the new control pad (see the close-up above), you'll notice that the DualShock 2 brand name imprinted on the old controller has now been supplanted by a row of LED lights to show which input has been set, either wirelessly or via the wired USB recharge port. Sony's now the only name in-line for PS3 controllers either on the pad or in the press releases (see "the new PS3 controller").
$500 PS3 to lack HDMI, WiFi, card reader
When Sony gave out the specs on the PS3 earlier tonight, the company mentioned that there would be two configurations: a $500 version with a 20GB hard drive and a $600 edition with a 60GB drive. Turns out that was only half the story. Yes, that pricing and storage info is accurate. But it turns out that there are a lot of other things missing from the lower-end (we can't bring ourselves to call a $500 console "cheap") version, besides an extra 40GB of storage. According to the specs released by Sony, the 20GB version will lack WiFi, a memory card reader and, most significantly, HDMI output. While you could probably get along without WiFi in a home-based console that already has Ethernet, and you can always presumably hook up a memory card reader via one of the unit's four USB ports, the lack of HDMI output makes this pretty much a non-starter for anyone hoping to actually use the PS3's Blu-ray drive for anything more than playing games. Sure, we can understand Sony not wanting to undercut sales of its own dedicated Blu-ray players by offering the $500 PS3 as a cheaper alternative. But if the company was hoping to use the gaming platform as a way to build a base of fans for HD discs, chances are the strategy is going to backfire the first time someone tries playing a Blu-ray flick in their 20GB version and discovers that the unit's lack of HDMI limits them to analog 1080i output (or worse, depending on a disc's use of HDCP). [Via HD Beat]
Microsoft "explains" the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on
Microsoft has been so nice as to post some information about their upcoming add-on for the Xbox 360, and HD DVD in general. While my take isn't quite as harsh as our good friend Henning's, I think it can be pretty well summed up as heavily skewed marketing-speak that glosses over any shortcomings of their product while highlighting and detracting possible weaknesses of the competition, not at all giving a fair comparison or unbiased information.That was a mouthful, well, once you get through the BS (get your waders, the hip-deep ones), you'll notice that they don't specifically mention how the add-on will deal with HDCP, only that it will "connect to the Xbox 360 console with a USB cable, enabling it to harness the power of the Xbox 360 console for the HD video outputs and digital surround sound.". Does that mean analog only, and facing the prospect of downconversion on ICT-flagged discs? We can't say for sure and we also can't tell you what it looks like because it hasn't been shown, hopefully we'll know more after their event tomorrow afternoon.Check out Joystiq's live coverage for more E3 information.[Thanks to all who sent this in]
House sets DTV deadline with a SWOOSH
Clearly there were larger forces than politics at play here. Originally, the digital transition plan to close down analog television was set for April 7, 2009. It's obvious that we have more college basketball fans in the House of Representatives than previously thought since the DTV "hard date" was moved up. This is it folks: you've got until February 17, 2009 to either trash your analog sets or get an analog-to-digital converter! The historic date is timed rather nicely with "March Madness" and in a related story, we're hearing that some lawmakers want to have a giant NCAA pool for the $1.5 billion they've budgeted for converter boxes. Ok, maybe the pool is a stretch, but the fund is legit! We score the legislation a "10" on the slam-dunk-o-meter.Read [via Thomas Hawk]
