VCOM Final Bid

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 11 Dec 2004
The aim in any auction is to secure the item for the lowest price, with online auctions you have a distinct disadvantage you never know who is bidding against you.

Scrabble from Focus

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 30 Nov 2004
This is not by any means new, in fact I first played it as a child and I don’t think it was that new then. It first came out on a PC some years ago, this version was recently released by Focus in their £9.99 range.

Listening Pleasure

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 20 Nov 2004
Naim are a name best known for high quality audio equipment. They do however also have a CD label and a unique way of producing called True Stereo.

Creative MoVo²

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 10 Nov 2004
MP3 players are now often much more, here I am looking at a small rectangle unit that has a large storage capacity and also the ability to keep your music playing for 18 hours.

Focus Revival Products

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 6 Nov 2004
A lot of good software is available at bargain prices, here I am looking at four products all available for less than £5 each.

Gifts for Kids

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 29 Oct 2004
You do not always need – or want - to spend a fortune to find something the kids will love. Here I am looking at a few such items that could solve present problems. All items I am looking at cost £15 or less.
I've wanted a solid-state MP3 player for some time for exercising but had been put off by the capacity (64M seemed common). This little device came to the rescue.
The Medusa headset looks rather like an expensive pair of ear defenders, how wrong can first looks be? Sorry, to find out you will have to read on.

Two Naim CD’s

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 15 Oct 2004
Not something normally reviewed here, but there is a twist – more in a moment – and either or both would make great Christmas presents for the Jazz lover.

Powerstixx Ultra 2.1

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 17 Sep 2004
Add a designer name and the price goes up, however it is not always the case that the quality goes up to match it. Here I am looking at a set of very stylish 2.1 speakers, is the name all they have to offer?

Playing the N-Gage Game

Published in Entertainment by mfereday on 12 Sep 2004
Ever tried playing a game on your mobile phone? Let’s face it, this is hardly the most enjoyable experience especially when compared to dedicated hand-held game devices. One possible solution could be to turn the situation around and make your phone calls from a game device.

USB to 5.1 Audio Adapter

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 8 Sep 2004
If you enjoy music on a PC/Notebook then the speakers and sound card/chip are important. To put a better sound card in a notebook is very difficult and even in some PC’s not that easy, here is an alternative.
I do not normally play a lot of games, perhaps the occasional Freecell or two and the odd – very odd – game of Bridge, however I have to confess that the Bank Holiday saw me spending far to much time on Trainz.

Powererstixx 2.1 Speakers

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 29 Aug 2004
Designed by Porsche is not something you immediately think of when talking about speakers, cars are far more likely. However these speakers are not anything like bulk standard boxes.
As DVD players become almost as cheap as the discs themselves, introducing the very first LCD projector under three hundred pounds.

Bush Video/DVD Recorder

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 6 Aug 2004
Video players in their current form will be redundant when we all have to go digital, lots of people -me included- have stuff we will still want to play so this Bush Video/ DVD recorder could be the answer.
The title only covers part of what this unit can do, it can also record and play .wav files as well as having an FM radio, so far it has stubbornly refused to make the tea.
How can one speaker enclosure + sub woofer give surround sound, sorry you are not going to get a technical answer from me, I will just say the sound it gives is excellent.

4069 pure bug dab digital radiWhat is ‘The Bug’

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 17 June 2004
The name may make you think this is something to be avoided, on the contrary it is certainly something to be experienced. The only clue I will give here is that it’s manufactured by Imagination Technologies.

BeatZKey!FM

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 9 June 2004
Perhaps not the most informative title but that’s what it’s called. There is a radio but that’s only a very small part of the whole package, and indeed also the weakest bit.
PEEG is a neuro technology system which induces brainwaves that help to relieve stress and uneasiness. It also lead to deep sleep, well-balanced mind and body. It gives you a chance to improve your competence and performance as well.
The Nova range of TV cards both PCI and USB are not brand new but the current deal with ShowShifter is. So new that the two elements are priced in different currencies.
This radio is both DAB and FM. It looks solid as indeed it needs to be if it is to be used in the kitchen and during a substantial part of my tests that is exactly where I used it.

Smart SCART

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 6 Apr 2004
If like me you have more SCART devices than sockets on your TV then this device is for you. If like me you have a bad back contorting yourself to insert SCART leads is not high on your list of joyful experiences then again this device is for you.
Use the iPod for running? A great carry case for the iPod that holds it snug and can either strap to arm for running or belt via one of those clip things:)
The number one reason I'd rather own a car over my scooter would be the lack of a stereo. That's right, music on the move to alleviate the monotomous boredom of regular journeys. Will my new personal DAB radio liven up my two wheeled adventures?!
A lot of fuss is made about the iPod when there are other machines about that are as able to deliver, and cost somewhat less. The Rio Karma is small in size and large in capacity. The clincher is that it has far better battery life.
How many of us have DVD’s or CD’s that are either unplayable, skip or stutter. The conventional isopropyl alcohol and gauze no longer solves the problem. The answer could be not to far away

Rio Nitrus MP3 Player

Published in Entertainment by paul_smart on 9 Feb 2004
When MP3 players first came out 32MB was considered large, Rio were there then, now at last they can be a good size and Rio are still there with the 1.5GB Nitrus.
This cheap game for adults has an added benefit when used with children.