Gladget April 2012 by Gladget Magazine

Feel the Heat Overclocking: the pros and cons...

I S S U E 1 8 / Vo l . 2 April 2012

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mpionships ha C 2 X M nd a 1 X M l ia ic Off MUD World Tour Monster Energy Trick Battle Mode 2011 Monster Energy nsâ&#x201E;˘ FIM Motocross of Natio Up to 12 online players

REAL MOTOCROSS

FEEL THE

STYLE!

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MUD - FIM Motocross World Championship, “MUD” is a registered trademark of Milestone srl. Published by Milestone srl, under its registered trademark “Black Bean”. An official product of the FIM Motocross World Championship, under license of Youthstream Group Lda. Developed by Milestone S.r.l. All Rights reserved. Manufacturers, bikes, names, brands and associated imagery featured in this game are trademarks and/or copyrighted materials of their respective owners. MX1® and MXoN® logos are trademarks of Youthstream Group Lda. MX-Life.TV® is a trademark of Youthstream Media s.a. All rights reserved. KINECT, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from Microsoft. “ ”, “PlayStation ”, “PS3”, “ ” and “ ” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “ ” is a trademark of the same company.

Inside 6 From the Editor

THIS MONTH’S COVER Is overclocking worth the effort... and risk? See the feature on page 8

8 Turn up the Heat Is overclocking worth the effort? 14 Photography Primer A guilty bear... 16 Reviews Lots to look at! 62 DVD Seen Some movies to see, or to avoid... 70 Money to Burn Bling-Station 3 72 Inner Workings Making music more memorable... 74 PC Builder Get some back-bone! Competitions 29 LG Flatron IPS235 Monitor

gladget contents • issue 18 • April 2012

Reviews

MSI Z68MA-ED55B3 Motherboard

Logitech M187 Wireless Mini Mouse

LG Cinema 3D D2542 Monitor

Logic 3 Charge Stand for PS Move

Samsung Series 5 550 3D PDP 51” TV

Orb PS Vita Charge & Data/AC Adaptor

HP Laserjet Pro 200 Color MFP

Writers: Alex Scanlon Charlie Fripp Dylan Bouch Rob Edwards

Logic 3 Dual Charge Stand

Letters: letters@gladgetmag.com

MSI WindPad 10” Tablet

Competition Entries: competitions@gladgetmag.com

Raidmax Seiran PC Case

Logic 3 Universal FM Transmitter

Epson Stylus SX445W All-in-One Printer

Logic 3 i-Station Bluetooth Hands Free Speaker System

Moshi Monsters Stylus Pack

Mass Effect 3 (X360)

FIFA Street (X360)

GLADGET Volume 2 Issue 18 April 2012 Editor: Walt Pretorius walt@1337-media.com

Newsletter Subscriptions: www.gladgetmag.com Design & Photography: 1337 Media Marketing Contact: Katia Taliadoros katia@1337-media.com

technology. simply. CREATED USING

Adobe CS5

Kid Icarus: Uprising (3DS)

SSX (PS3)

Unit 13 (PSV)

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All rights reserved. No content may be reproduced, copied or transmitted without the express permission of the publishers. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editors and publishers. All Trademarks and Registered Trademarks are the sole property of the respective owners.

GAMECCA is published by 1337 MEDIA

gladget contents • issue 18 • April 2012

The Brake... From the Editor

by Walt Pretorius

echnology makes the world go round. Some people say it’s money that provides the all-important axial rotation our planet requires, but the truth I that money only fuels the things that actually spin the big ball. Money is a means to an end, and the end does all the work. How many times have you heard about people wanting money for the sake of keeping it in their bank account? It always needs to go somewhere, and most people love spending it on the latest, greatest tech. But what does that mean, actually? The term is one that companies will bandy about quite freely, and yet some products lag behind others or, worse yet, descriptions of products become slightly ambiguous. There’s nothing worse than expecting something, based on a product’s name and description, only to find out that your expectations are not met. Almost as bad is getting a new product that claims to be better than the competition, only to find out that it, quite frankly, is not.

The world of the technology consumer is filled with minefields. Whether they relate to the cases above, or to unscrupulous vendors squeezing extra cash out of customers at every turn, or a number of other factors, consumers need to watch themselves carefully, to ensure that they are not taken for a ride. Some of those rides aren’t long, but they are there none the less. The armour that the consumer has is research. And – I can’t quite believe I am about to say this – it extends beyond reading a few reviews and putting 100% trust in reviews and similar articles. Digging into information about any particular product (or range of products) is an excellent idea. There is also the idea that the consumer should be able to define what they need from a product. Don’t trust a salesman to do that, because they make their money by taking money from consumers. Upselling is the name of the game, and you may find yourself taking home more than

you bargained for – and more than you would realistically need. It might seem that I am being a bit negative about the way that technology enters the marketplace, but my motivation is quite different. I would like to see people make informed decisions, and that they choose products that suit them best, rather than relying overly much on the opinions of other to make their decisions. Sure, paying attention to opinions of others is a very important part of the process, but consumers need to be clear on their own wants, needs, desires and tastes, not those of others. An informed consumer base is good for any industry, because it drives advancement in the right directions, exposing fads and gimmicks and steering manufacturers and designers away from technologies that could sometimes be seen as spurious. Technology makes the world go round, but an informed consumer is the brake that keeps it from spinning out of control. g

gladget column • issue 18 • April 2012

Turning up the Heat Overclocking: upgrade solution or unnecessary risk?

Feature

by Alex Scanlon

gladget feature • issue 18 • April 2012

etting a bright, shiny new PC generally means that the machine will operate at a level that is better than what you were previously used to. Buying a PC means an upgrade, generally, so performance issues are never really something that need to be considered. But upgrades are not always possible, for various reasons. And there is also the question of trying to squeeze more power out of a machine that might even be brand new. This is very possible, thanks to a practice called overclocking. The term comes from the activity of increasing a computer component’s clock cycles per second, but this is not the only way in which a PC’s performance can be increased. In fact, the term overclocking refers to a number of activities that can be applied to making a computer run faster than what the component manufacturers specify. The most common working level effect that overclocking has on a PC system’s components is that increased voltage is applied to the components. This, in layman’s terms, makes them work harder and faster. The end result is a PC system that is quicker and ‘more powerful’ than it should be… sort of like an athlete using steroids to boost their performance. Unlike that activity, though, there is nothing illegal about overclocking your computer. But, just like the athlete might suffer from adverse effects to their health, overclocking can be dangerous to a computer system. While the benefits of overclocking do exist (and we will get to them a bit further on) the decision to put your PC on electric ‘steroids’ needs to be entered into with a full knowledge of what could happen. Overclocking makes components work harder, meaning that semiconductor components will suffer from a reduced lifespan. Warranties on such components may also be voided by overclocking activities. Also, increasing the voltage that gets supplied to the components may result – strike that, will result – in an increase in the heat generated by the computer system. The ambient case temperature will rise, meaning that the entire system will become hotter. Without effective extra cooling, this could

gladget feature • issue 18 • April 2012

once again result in system damage. This counts for the heat sinks on motherboards as well, which often rely on the CPU fan for effective cooling. An insufficient fan may result in serious overheating, and a modified fan may not produce the correct airflow to keep the system cool enough. Adding more fans is an option, but that could also lead to an increase in system noise. Additionally, extra fans (and overclocking itself) will lead to an increase in power consumption. An insufficient power supply may well lead to problems in this case. An overclocked PC system may also become unstable when running certain software – not quite dangerous, but still rather annoying. There are ways and means to combat these effects, with the most important being exotic cooling systems. Water cooling and sub-zero methods, including liquid nitrogen, are both effective, but they do need to be monitored to ensure that system damage does not occur from things like water condensation or cooling system malfunctions. With these dangers in play, is there any sense to overclocking a system? If done carefully, there certainly is. Overclocking can have several advantages. For one thing, older components can have their useful life extended by overclocking. True, components don’t last as long, but instead of buying a whole new graphics card, the user can squeeze a bit more out of an existing one, effectively ‘upgrading’ without buying a new component. The same can be said for buying cheaper, less powerful components, and then overclocking them to run at similar levels to more expensive devices. Overclocking can also overcome system bottlenecks, allowing components associated with overclocked devices to run faster. Overclocking is not just an activity for those that need to squeeze more power out of a PC. Many PC enthusiasts undertake the challenge of doing so as a hobby, and the nature of the activity can even be seen as educational, in terms of learning about how computer systems work. So how does one do it? Well, to get into those details here would mean a much longer article gladget feature • issue 18 • April 2012

gladget feature • issue 18 • April 2012

than we have room for. However, there is a lot of information on the Internet, of course, which will help those interested in trying their hand at overclocking. Additionally, numerous manufacturers of components allow for overclocking of motherboards and, more commonly, graphics cards, by way of bundled software packages, like MSI’s Afterburner system. Using these can be seen as a ‘safe’ overclocking method, as the software will guide the user in the way that different voltages are applied. However, no overclocking is ever 100% guaranteed not to cause damage, and it is a great idea for users to learn the warning signs. For example, GPU overclocking may result in ‘artefacts’ in graphics. Green triangles indicate that the GPU is overheating, while white dots show that the graphic RAM is too hot. There are viable alternatives to overclocking that can allow for more performance to be squeezed out of components. Upgrading component firmware often helps, although this can also lead to certain dangers. Even making sure that drivers are updated regularly will have a positive effect on system performance. Another way is to ‘unlock’ components; from time to time components are ‘throttled back’, allowing for more performance to be unlocked in relatively safe ways. Should you decide to undertake this exciting and often highly rewarding activity, make sure that you have done the right kind of research. Preparation is key, from reading the right kind of literature right through to making sure your system is set up to handle excess heat before making tweaks to system voltages. The benefits can be great, but a mistimed or uninformed overclocking session can cost the user a lot of money in replacing damaged parts – which kind of defeats the purpose of doing it in the first place. Even though we may sound a little negative here, overclocking is a very viable solution to getting more out of your machine. Caution is important, but there is also an element of ‘if you don’t gamble, you can’t win’. In the end, it’s up to each user how they wish to make use of their PC system, and overclocking certainly can have its rewards. g gladget feature • issue 18 • April 2012

Photography Primer

Guilty Bear Patience pays off...

by Walt Pretorius

gladget regular • issue 18 • April 2012

PRESENTED BY

Adobe CS5

MASTER SUITE

nimals can provide a fantastic source of amusement for photographers, making a zoo a great place to take pictures of them. Living close to the Johannesburg Zoo is a boon for me, then, as I make regular trips to the large park to take pictures of the wide variety of animals they have there. The problem with a zoo, though, is that often there will be structures in the background that can interfere with a natural looking picture. This particular image, though, didn’t suffer from that problem. Our model was entertaining the crowd, standing up and doing all sorts of cute things. Cameras were clicking like crazy. But once the crowd left, he popped himself down, seemed to sigh and had a good scratch. I found the whole scene so cute that I snapped a few images, which turned up in this rather guilty facial expression. The image makes a decent case for one of the other things a photographer will need to exercise: patience. Waiting a bit meant that I could get an image that showed a very natural, candid image of the subject. Also, his sitting down removed a large wall from the composition, which adds a more natural feel to the image. The image was taken with my trusty GX10 (Samsung branded) Using a 75 – 300mm Sigma lens (at around 199mm). An ISO of 200 managed to keep colours vibrant while speeds were still acceptable. The aperture was at f/4n and the shutter speed an effective 1/125. Had he been a little less lazy in his scratching, his paw might have been blurred. Once on the computer, very little needed to be done to the image. One always wants to keep things looking natural when animals are in the picture, so just a few tweaks and adjustments were made for the final image. It was also cropped to improve a rather plain original composition. Patience, luck and an extremely cute model combined here to make one of those images that people smile at… it may even become one of those ‘motivational posters’ that are so popular on the ‘net these days. Just need a good caption... g

gladget regular • issue 18 • April 2012

Reviews Highlights 22 LG Cinema 3D D2542 Monitor 3D on your desktop 26 Samsung Series 5 550 3D PDP 51” TV Big is beautiful 30 HP Laserjet Pro 200 Color MFP 3D scanning? You bet! 34 MSI WindPad 10” Tablet A great alternative

nother month, another issue... and another collection of cool items for you to take a look at. 3D seems to be featuring more and more strongly in technology these days - 3 of our review products have some kind of 3D functionality. But that’s not all - we have the usual crop of reviews for you, ranging from top of the line TV through to ways you keep your PS3 controllers powered up. g

gladget review • issue 18 • April 2012

MSI Z68MA-ED55B3 Motherboard

All-Rounder Something for everyone

by Walt Pretorius

ost of the time, we get to see things that are on the higher end of the scale. This tends to be particularly true with PC components like graphics cards and motherboards. But the truth of the matter is that these devices are often far beyond the price range of the average PC user… they tend to be for elitists and enthusiasts, the kind of people who would rather not eat than pass up the change to stick a massive GPU in their machine. There is, though, a wide variety of products available for the other end of the market. The middle to lower end of the scale is a lucrative place for suppliers. It’s not a bad place to be, either – while they are cheaper, these devices are often exactly what a user would need, rather than buying a component that is more than they require. Not that you could really call the MSI Z68MAED55B3 a low-end motherboard. In truth, it plays at around the upper-middle range. But it may not provide

some of the features that power user may require, at elast not if those power users happen to be gaers who want to run more than two graphics cards. This is evidenced by the fact that it offers on-board video capabilities, and features a few less ports than the majority of MSI motherboards we see. That said, it does sit in a category that makes it something of an all-round motherboard, complete with DVI and HDMI outputs (certainly nothing run-of-the-mill there.) So while it might not have a ton of space for graphics cards, it does provide some very interesting options for a PC user, particularly someone who wants a solid media setup. As with all MSI components these days, it makes use of military class 2 components, which include Hi-C, tantalum core capacitors, super ferrite chokes and solid capacitors. It also makes use of MSI’s overclocking facilities, so there is room for squeezing a bit more power out of it, which implies a gaming application. But other systems, like onboard THX TruStudio Pro sound, delivering 7.1 audio at an g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 1 8 • A p r i l 2 0 1 2

excellent level of quality, once again point towards a more all-round approach. In fact, if you are looking at a PC that will be used for more than video gaming, this is a very solid bet, complete with MSI’s expected level of performance (which, in case you didn’t know, is excellent.) It is an extremely versatile and capable backbone for any PC system, when all is said and done, and someone looking at putting together a solid, dependable computer can do much worse than sticking this baby into the box. In fact, a board like this really should be a consideration, even if using a graphics card makes the on-board video functionality redundant. After all, A PC should be more than just a platform for gaming, and making sure that your system can handle whatever you throw at it is a good idea. And this board, although not as flashy of punchy as some of MSI’s ‘bigger’ boards, does allow that luxury. g

g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 1 8 • A p r i l 2 0 1 2

AT A GLANCE: PROS:

• Versatile • Good price

CONS:

• Not as focussed

Manufacturer: MSI Distributor: Pinnacle Africa Online: www.pinnacle.co.za RRP: R1679

TECH SPECS: • Intel CPU support • 4 DDR3 RAM slots • 2 USB 3.0 ports • 12 USB 2.0 ports • THX audio • On-board video

Score

Although not as flashy as some other motherboards, this one is a fantastic all-rounder.

84 19

Logitech M187 Wireless Mini Mouse

So Small

We’re avoiding the Disney related comments… by Alex Scanlon

ouse portability is extremely important for those that travel a lot with their computer – or more correctly, their notebook. Additionally, of course, these are the kind of people who don’t like using the touch pad built into said notebook. I admit, I have met very few people who like to use the touch pad, so this particular solution from Logitech is a great one. Using Logitech’s 2.4GHz wireless technology, the M187 is a reliable and effective three button mouse. Just like the nano-receiver, the mouse is tiny, so users with big hands may battle a little to find a comfortable position with it. However, when you consider the really easy portability that it offers, this really isn’t much of a problem; people always make plans to take advantage of convenience. The M187 is available in a variety of colours, although we are more partial to the red and black ones (the blue, with its bright orange scroll wheel and side stripes, is a bit ugly…) On the whole, if you are in the market for a mouse that is simple yet effective and extremely portable, you cannot really go wrong with this one. g

AT A GLANCE: PROS:

• Great size • Reliable • Colour variety

CONS:

• May be too small for some?

Manufacturer: Logitech Distributor: Logitech Online: www.logitech.com RRP: R199

TECH SPECS: • 2.4GHz technology • Three button mouse • Nano-receiver • AAA battery

Score

Small yet effective, this mouse is perfectly functional and sublimely portable.

g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 1 8 • A p r i l 2 0 1 2

LG Cinema 3D D2542 Monitor

Desktop 3D! Great visuals from LG

by Walt Pretorius

K, I am going to give away my status as a gamer here… although those of you that also read Gamecca Magazine already know that I am a gaming junkie of note. There is just something about a good monitor that gets my heart thumping. Yes, most gamers play on as big a TV as they can find, but the nature of my work has lead me to fall in love with monitors for PC gaming (obviously) as well as for console gaming. Doing most of my gaming at a desk makes it necessary, but a good monitor not only means I can stick to confined spaces, but I can also travel with my consoles. The LG Cinema 3D D2542 is just that – a good monitor. First of all, it’s an LED monitor, which means brighter, crisper visuals, better colours and all that goes along with this particular technology. But there is more to what makes it great than just its panel. Another confession: I am something of an LG monitor fan. But I have no illusions about them either, and

earlier models did have a few issues that needed to be sorted out. This is particularly true for their touch sensitive controls. This particular model eschew those in favour of discrete buttons. Other than the larger power button, none of them are marked. But touch one, and an equally discrete, user-friendly interface pops up on the screen, just above them, defining which button will have what effect in the current menu. It’s great – quick, easy and effective. Another plus point, as any gamer would agree, is the inclusion of an HDMI input (although, sadly, only one port is provided) and a headphone output. This makes using the monitor for gaming a snap. And, of course, the expected VGA and DVI ports are also there, meaning that this monitor is as at home hooked up to a PC as it is to a game console. Or preferably both. Switching inputs is fast and easy. It’s also an energy saver, which is a big plus, and it proudly displays how much energy it is saving when it starts up. Environmentally conscious people can rest easy g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 1 8 • A p r i l 2 0 1 2

with this one. But the biggest plus of all is that it uses LG’s Cinema 3D technology. Just a few button presses, slip on the glasses, and you have a 3D experience. It’s great for consoles, which almost all have 3D support these days, but when it comes to the PC you will need to have the right kind of drivers installed. It even has a 3D colour mode for more vibrant visuals, and the 3D performance is great. Best of all, Cinema 3D technology means that the glasses needed are not powered; they’re like the one you get in a cinema. They still look a bit dorky, but at least they’re slimmer and smaller, and don’t run out of juice half way through an intense game session. The 25” screen is nice, too, although 27” is my current favourite poison. Crisp, clear visuals, versatility and overall great performance make this monitor a great one to own – whether you play games or not! g

g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 1 8 • A p r i l 2 0 1 2

AT A GLANCE: PROS:

• Great visuals • Unpowered 3D glasses

CONS:

• A bit costly

Manufacturer: LG Distributor: LG Online: www.lg.co.za RRP: TBC

Added features and fair manual options make this a great backup camera for more serious photographers.

TECH SPECS: • • • •

25” screen LED panel High tilt degree Cinema 3D technology • HDMI input

Score

90 23

Logic 3 Charge Stand for PS Move

Full Power! Never run out of juice

by Alex Scanlon

here really is nothing worse than running out of juice during a hectic PS Move session. I am not talking about the stuff you drink; rather, I am talking about power. And while the battery life on the PS Move controllers is generally pretty good, having to prematurely end a game session thanks to power running out is a sad thing. Therefore, keeping your Move controller charged is a good thing. But relying on systems that need to get USB power from your PS3 is a pain, because then you need to leave your PS3 on. Well, Logic 3 have a PS Move controller charging system that works off of mains power, thanks to an included AC adaptor. The kit can charge two Move controllers, or a Move controller and Nav controller, at the same time. It has an added bonus of limiting wires, and providing a neat, safe stand for your Move controllers, too. It’s well built and reliable, making it an excellent solution for those that want to keep their controllers fully charged all the time. g

AT A GLANCE: PROS:

• Runs off of mains power

CONS:

• No USB option

TECH SPECS: • Two controller ports • AC Adapter • US plug • Euro plug

Manufacturer: Logic 3 Distributor: Apex Interactive Online: www.apexint.co.za RRP: R329

Score

Buying this kit means never having to prematurely end a Move game session again.

g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 1 8 • A p r i l 2 0 1 2

Also available on XBox360 and PC DVD

Also available on PS3 and PC DVD

Only available on PC DVD

12 www.apexint.co.za

Distributed Exclusively by Apex Interactive Tel: (011) 796 5040 Email: sales@apexint.co.za All rights and trademarks and logos are copyright of their respective owners.

www.apexactive.co.za

Samsung Series 5 550 3D PDP 51” TV

Achieving Clarity A crisp big picture

by Walt Pretorius

here is something fantastic about a big TV screen, particularly if it is crystal clear. Perhaps that has to do with the fact that I actually do remember a time before TV in South Africa (don’t be so surprised, it’s not that long ago, and I was very young.) I recall the roll-out of Television programmes, and the family clustered around our first, tiny black and white CRT TV when the first transmissions started up. Or maybe it’s just because I enjoy lounging around watching movies and series and stuff. Whatever the case may be, TV has become an exciting arena in this age. Not so much because of the programmes, you understand, but because of the television devices themselves. The move from flickering CRT sets to massive flat screens has been an exciting one, and the technology going into these appliances is speeding up almost alarmingly. Just recently there were announcements of Smart TVs that will almost literally change the way we consume information. But those are still a ways away. For now, we still have

to contend with current technology which, I must add, is not a bad thing at all. For example, when you turn on the Samsung Series 5 550 3D PDP 51” TV, it will almost literally blow your mind in terms of picture clarity. And we haven’t even considered the added features yet… The argument between LED and plasma panels raises its head here, because this model is a plasma TV, rather than the more common LEDs that we get to look at. In all honesty, the differences are slight, but they are there. The colours on this particular screen are beautiful, with great depth even in darker tones. On the downside, it is a little thicker than an LED model would be, but not by much. In fact, none but the most pernickety experts would probably be able to spot the difference off-hand. What it all boils down to is that this particular Samsung beauty delivers excellent image quality, which is always the basis for judging a TV. These days, though, excellent image quality is not enough. A TV needs to offer versatility in terms of connection, particularly as our entertainment consumption g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 1 8 • A p r i l 2 0 1 2

becomes more varied in terms of devices. Well, nothing wrong here, either. With numerous inputs, including component HD, HDMI and USB (as well as a LAN connection) no device will be left wanting. Added benefits include playing media directly off of USB devices, so music and movies on, say, a memory stick are easily accessible. To top it all off, the TV also features 3D functionality. Considering technology that competitors have out there, this is the device’s only real weak point; it requires powered glasses for the 3D to function. The other major TV brand has moved away from powered glasses, and we’re hoping that Samsung is investigating similar technology. But this is a small draw-back, particularly when you witness the awesome clarity and sound that this rather large TV delivers, particularly when paired with a Blu-Ray device. It costs a pretty penny, but the expenditure is well worth it if you are a home entertainment junkie. Yes, TV has come a long, long way. g g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 1 8 • A p r i l 2 0 1 2

AT A GLANCE: PROS:

• Awesome image • Good sound • Lots of input options

CONS:

• Powered 3D glasses

Manufacturer: Samsung Distributor: Samsung Online: www.samsung.com RRP: TBC

TECH SPECS: • • • • • • •

51” panel 3D Plasma 4 HDMI inputs 2 USB inputs Spec Spec

Score

A truly excellent plasma panel makes this TV great.

95 27

Orb PS Vita Charge & Data/AC Adaptor

Um, OK… Weird… until you need it

by Rob Edwards

K, well, this might be seen as something of a redundant product… until you lose your PS Vita charger, that is. Then, trust me, you will be happy to see that Orb saw fit to put together a Vita charger pack. But, quite honestly, we would have liked to see just a bit more in this box. Like a car charger, for example. That would have made it brilliant. As it stands, though, it is a standard Vita charger, with interchangeable plugs for those who travel, and a USB to Vita cable. It is not the kind of thing you’re going to buy unless you absolutely have to. While we can see that this kind of need might well arise – perhaps your dog develops a flavour for plastic and electricity one day – it does seem a little bit of a short sided approach from Orb. In fact, it seems a little like they blanket-bombed the PS Vita peripheral market with anything they could, including someone dubious items like this one. While there may be a need for these, they certainly aren’t going to be high demand items. Until, of course, Fluffy feels like a snack... g

AT A GLANCE: PROS:

• Good to know it’s there if you need it…

CONS:

• Pointless until you do…

TECH SPECS: • Data / charge cable • AC adaptor • US plug • Euro plug

Manufacturer: Orb Distributor: Megarom Online: www.megarom.co.za RRP: R229

Score

It might seem like a strange this to be able to buy, until you really need to buy one.

g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 1 8 • A p r i l 2 0 1 2

c ompe t i t io n • c omp eti ti o n • c om pe tit ion • com pe t ition • com pe t it ion

Looking Good!

WIN

an LG Flatron IPS235 23” LED Monitor Courtesy of LG TO ENTER: Send an email to competitions@gladgetmag.com Tell us what size the monitor is Insert ‘LG Competition’ in the mail’s subject line Subscribe to www.gladgetmag.com Become a fan on Gladget’s Facebook Page Competition closes 30 April 2012. Gladget subscribers only. South African residents only. Prizes may not be exchanged for cash. Competition closed to employees (& employee’s family) of 1337 Media CC, LG Electronics & Action Adz. The judges’ decision is final.

HP Laserjet Pro 200 Color MFP

Scan It!

3D scanning goes main-stream by Walt Pretorius

ith a steady stream of printer-scanner-faxcopier-coffee makers hitting the market from the major manufacturers, it seems strange to say that seeing something original is a bit of a rarity. But, the truth is, aside from changes in aesthetic design and a few performance tweaks here and there, one can quite safely take the attitude of ‘a printer is a printer.’ But, every now and then, something new will surface, making an interesting addition to the overall market. HP did it when they brought about their ePrint ideas, and they’re doing it again with the Laserjet Pro 200 Color MFP. The device is, on paper, a multi-function printer that delivers all the expected functions. Being a laserjet printer, it offers high quality printing, but replacement cartridges are more expensive. This is exacerbated by the fact that the device uses a single cartridge, rather than separate ones. This is not unexpected from a laserjet, but it does bear mentioning that if one colour

runs low, there may be a bit of wastage as the entire cartridge needs to be replaced. It’s also a rather large device, as laserjets often are. But the print quality is great, so that’s not too bad a trade-off. Another aspect that makes it impressive is that the top of the device looks… well, weird. That’s because it doesn’t feature a traditional scan-bed… and it is also the ‘little something new’ that HP have introduced with this device. See, the Pro 200 has the ability to scan 3D object effectively. This is done through the use of a raised scanner arm (which can be folded away when not in use) that sits a fair distance above the scan plate. Using this device, the user can scan in three dimensional devise clearly. We need to make note of something here… you’re still going to end up with a flat image. And you will only be able to scan one side of any given object at a time. In addition, the scannable area is relatively small, so you won’t be scanning in your dog or anything like that. g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 1 8 • A p r i l 2 0 1 2

The scanner can also handle document scans, and anything else that you would be able to stick into a more tradition flat-bed style scanner. The unit obviously comes with all the relevant software, and allows for a wider variety of file types to be saved than what we are used to from HP. This includes PNG files, which will result in the background of the scan being left transparent (very handy for designers and the like.) It is a great device, although one that could come across as a bit of a gimmick. However, the applications of a device like this – for a select few sectors, at least – are fantastic. The device can allow for effective product image capturing, for example, eliminating the need for photography and photo-editing. Whatever the case may be, what is most impressive here is the level of innovation that HP shows in bringing something like this to a consumer-accessible device. If it’s something you need, it’s good to know that it is out there. g g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 1 8 • A p r i l 2 0 1 2

AT A GLANCE: PROS:

• 3D scanning! • Great print quality

CONS:

• Big • Single toner cartridge

Manufacturer: HP Distributor: HP Online: www.hp.co.za RRP: R4499

TECH SPECS: • • • • • •

3D scanner Laserjet printer Fax Copier WiFi LAN port

Score

A device that is handy for those who need it, showing great innovation.

88 31

Logic 3 Dual Charge Stand

Perpetual Power Perpetual Power

by Alex Scanlon

he problem with wireless game controllers – the rechargeable kind – is that, sooner or later, they will need wires attached. To recharge the batteries, that is. And the cables provided with your PS3 are woefully short. While there a number of charging solutions available, the majority of them require a USB port for power, which also isn’t ideal – the PS3 needs to be on for that option to work properly, which seems like a bit of a waste. Enter Logic 3, with their Dual Charge Stand. Thanks to an independent power supply, this stand will charge your PS3 controllers all the time, without the need for your console to be turned on. The only possible drawback is that a special adapter needs to be connected to the controller, but this doesn’t really add too much weight… in fact, only the rare few using controller mounted key-pads may have an issue here. At R399, it is also one of the better priced charging solutions out there. The controllers fit snugly into the stand, which allows for neater storage. And that constant charge is a boon, too. If you’re looking for a good PS3 charging solution, this is one of the better ones we have seen. g

AT A GLANCE: PROS:

• Mains or USB powered • 2 controller support

CONS:

• Proprietary charging interface

Manufacturer: Logic 3 Distributor: Apex Interactive Online: www.apexint.co.za RRP: R399

TECH SPECS: • 2 controller mounts • Proprietary charge interface • Mains power charging • USB charging

Score

A great option for those who want their PS3 controllers charged at all times.

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MSI WindPad 10” Tablet

A Better Price And still capable

by Walt Pretorius

have been a committed tablet computing type person for a few months now, and I must admit that I don’t know how I lived before I got my tab. Same thing as can be said about cell phones, really… how did we communicate without them. It’s a silly concept, actually, because we did seem to get along just fine before the market was flooded with 3G and WiFi enables tablet devices. I, for one, seem to have a very short memory. There are many brands of these devices out there, ranging from the trendy iPad and its close competitor, the Samsung Galaxy Tab range, through to some fairly obscure brands that are still managing to carve a niche for themselves. It seems, though, that the folks doing best are those who have a strong association with cellular technology, rather than traditional PC manufacturers. This puts a company like MSI on a bit of a back foot when it comes to selling tablets.

That’s not going to stop them, though. MSI, in my experience, pretty much consistently deliver great products in terms of PC components and notebooks, so there is no reason why they shouldn’t make a splash in the tablet market. And yet, their WindPad range battles to compete with several of the bigger names out there. In defense of the range though, it must be noted that the WindPad range does weigh in at the better side of the price scale. With the high price tags on things like iPads, it is refreshing to see a tablet computer available for under R4000 (in the form of the 10” option) which puts tablet computing in the reach of more people. Using Android 2.3 as an operationg system (and thus allowing access to the Android market, among other things) the WindPad 10” is armed with a 1GHz Cortex processor, and 512MB of DDR RAM. It also sports a 3500maH battery, which is pretty good in terms of battery life. On the downside, it only offers 4GB of starage space g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 1 8 • A p r i l 2 0 1 2

out of the box, which is significantly less than a number of other options. But it does allow for the use of Micro SD cards, which means that how much memory is on offer really is up to the user. Another small downside is that it is slightly heavier than the competition, which is never a great thing for a portable device. Even with the downsides, though, this tablet is a very good deal indeed. It is responsive and capable, and offers a few options (like an HDMI out port) that others don’t have. It feels more like a computer than other tabs, even giving support for wired controllers. If you want to get into tablet computing and are looking for a 10 inch option, this is a great deal. Not that it’s only for beginners, mind you. This tablet is as capable and reliable as any other on the market… sure, it has a quibble or two, but nothing ruinous. And the price is great. g g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 1 8 • A p r i l 2 0 1 2

AT A GLANCE: PROS:

• Great price • Expandable storage • Capable

CONS:

• Slightly heavy • On-board storage

Manufacturer: MSI Distributor: Pinnacle Africa Online: www.pinnacle.co.za RRP: R3299

Although it might have one or two little issues, a great price and good performance make this tab a great contender.

TECH SPECS: • 10” screen • Android 2.3 • 4GB internal storage • 512 MB RAM • 1GHz CPU • 3500maH battery

Score

80 35

Raidmax Seiran PC Case

Ease of Use While still looking good…

by Rob Edwards

aidmax certainly make interesting and effective PC cases. The Seiran, for example, shows a great approach, not only to concepts like airflow and solidity, but also to ideas like ease of use. The Seiran is an impressive looking case, the kind of box that would look a little understated for gamers, but maybe a little overstated for the work place. That said, it still looks good, with a series of mesh panels making up the front, and a generous mesh built into the side plate. A slight aside, the review unit we got had a massive 250mm set into this mesh, which we thought was awesome. The front panel mesh plates are designed to be easily removed, for the fitting of optical drives – yet another thing that makes working with the case easy. And the whole interior is screwless, with generous numbers of optical and HDD brackets. This is topped off with a bottom-mounted PSU bracket (complete with dust filter) and water cooling support. Even the front panel has easy access to USB ports, fan controllers and power switches. All in all, the Seiran offers ease of use all around. g

AT A GLANCE: PROS:

• Good air flow • Easy to work with • Looks good

CONS:

• No top fan mounts

Manufacturer: Raidmax Distributor: Pinnacle Africa Online: www.pinnacle.co.za RRP: R689

TECH SPECS: • • • • •

Spec Screwless 3 USB ports Fan controllers Watercooling support • Bottom mounted PSU

Score

The Seiran is a good looking case that keeps user comfort in the forefront

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ÂŽ

ÂŠ 2012 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved. Diablo and Blizzard Entertainment are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks referenced herein are the properties of their respective owners.

Logic 3 Universal FM Transmitter

Sending Signals Expand your in-car audio options

by Rob Edwards

ere’s a device that I have seen before (the concept) but they are strangely far less common than one would think. There really should be more of these about, because they are so very cool. The Logic 3 Universal FM Transmitter is a short range transmitter that broadcasts a signal to an FM frequency in the range of 87.6MHz to 107.9MHz. Now why would you want to do that? Well, connect this device to your MP3 player, and it will transmit the music played to your car radio, or any other radio, for that matter. It’s a great way to share music, particularly in the car. Of course, you need to tune the car radio to the corresponding frequency… do we really need to mention that? And Logic 3 know this, which is why it can be powered via a car power adapter. Additionally, it can be powered with 2 AAA batteries (for those people who don’t have a cigarette lighter port in their car. It’s a remarkably cool and very handy device when all is said and done, and the short transmission range means that you can get a great signal, without interfering with others. Awesome. g

AT A GLANCE: PROS:

• Great for in-car use

CONS:

• Not rechargable

Manufacturer: Logic 3 Distributor: Apex Interactive Online: www.apexint.co.za RRP: R239

TECH SPECS: • FM transmitter • 87.6MHz to 107.9MHz • 3.5mm audio jack • Car Adapter • 2 x AAA batteries

Score

A neat device that any music lover who drives a lot should own.

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Epson Stylus SX445W All-in-One Printer

Small-in-One Downsizing can be a great idea

by Walt Pretorius

hen you stick a whole bunch of functionality into certain kinds of devices – the sort with moving parts – you have the inevitable eventuality of increased size. After all, there is only so much trimming that you can do, right? Epson, it seems, doesn’t agree… at least not in terms of all-inone devices. Their range of tritely names Small-in-One devices are designed to free up what might be much needed space, without compromising on versatility and performance. Compared to previous models, these smaller devices are around 39% less bulky, meaning that they do save some space – but that’s with trays and stuff folded away. Still, even when they are extended, the Small-inOne range lives up to its name. The Epson Stylus SX445W is one of these devices, and it manages to perform admirably, and even present the user with a money saving solution. This comes in the form of a four cartridge ink system, which means that only depleted cartridges need to be replaced. This cuts

down on wastage, too, which is a good thing. But to keep this printer small, certain sacrifices needed to be made. This means that some of the functions you would find in other all-in-one devices don’t appear here. But, then again, do you need all the functions? The core of devices like these are printing and scanning functionalities, and both of those are present in the SX445W. In addition, it allows for network connectivity, and well as wireless connection and printing independent of a PC, thanks to card readers and a rather user-friendly LCD panel. The memory card reader also offers a wide range of support: Memory stick, Memory Stick Duo, MagicGate Memory Stick, MagicGate Memory, Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PROHG Duo, Memory Stick Micro M2, SD, SDHC, SDXC, MiniSD, MiniSDHC, MiniSDXC, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, MicroSDXC, Multi Media Card, MMCplus, MMCmobile RS-MMC, MMCmicro… that’s quite a list. In addition, wireless printing from smart phones and tablets is also an option, which is a massive benefit. g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 1 8 • A p r i l 2 0 1 2

It would be fairly easy to denigrate what is actually a very capable printer-scanner combo based on the lack of certain functions, but in all fairness, the performance is what should really be the yard-stick. And the performance from this Epson device is very good. In the end, it really comes down to what individual consumers need, and Epson’s willingness to consider those needs are highly evident here. Not everyone wants a massive, clunky machine that can do everything from print photos to walk your dog. Very often such devices become at least partially redundant, as people use some functions, but never touch others. This, then, is a more focussed device that might not seem as flashy as many others, but allows people to get what they needs, without skimping on too many bells and whistles. As such, it makes the perfect home device for those who need one, with the added versatility and ease of wireless, device based printing. Although it might not look very big, this printer is pretty big on performance, and it makes a perfect complement to a home set-up. g g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 1 8 • A p r i l 2 0 1 2

AT A GLANCE: PROS:

• Small • Capable • 4 cartidges

CONS:

• Some functions not present

Manufacturer: Epson Distributor: Epson Online: www.epson.com RRP: R1189

TECH SPECS: • • • • • •

Printer Scanner Wifi PC-free printing Mobile printing 4 cartridge system

Score

It is smaller, but it still offers excellent functionality.

82 41

Logic 3 i-Station Bluetooth Hands Free Speaker System

No Hands! A versatile system indeed

by Alex Scanlon

e have seen a number of speaker systems that you can use with your phone or MP3 player, but here’s one that stands out from the crowd. This Bluetooth system goes beyond just being a nifty set of speakers intended for you to share your music. Logic 3 have considered virtually every angle for their i-Station Bluetooth Hands Free Speaker System. Instead of just creating a device that works, they have made one that works in numerous ways. Connectivity, for example, can be done via Bluetooth or audio cable. The Bluetooth option allows for more than just music, too, thanks to the relatively obvious inclusion of a microphone. This allows for hands free calling… and yet, if it is an obvious choice, why haven’t we seen it a bunch of times before. Well done, Logic 3! In the end, this device is great, because it delivers good sound, and has extra functionality added. It works with virtually anything that can use an audio cable or Bluetooth connection. Another plus point for a wellmade, sturdily built speaker system. g

AT A GLANCE: PROS:

• Versatile • Good sound

CONS:

• A bit expensive

TECH SPECS: • • • • •

Bluetooth Audio input Volume controls Hands free calling Rechargeable

Manufacturer: Logic 3 Distributor: Apex Interactive Online: www.apexint.co.za RRP: R699

Score

More than just an external speaker system for your phone.

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More to get nagged for…

by Rob Edwards

azes. You gotta love ‘em. Unless, of course, you are a parent whose kid has been afflicted by one of these. Then, I figure, you’re going to pretty much hate them. A lot. Still, there is something about the smile on a kid’s face when you indulge their latest fad that is heartwarming, at least until they start the nagging again. And from what we’ve seen, there is more than a little Moshi Monster related nagging going on these days. The good news is that there is a wide range of DS accessories with a Moshi Monster theme available last month. We looked at a rather big pack last month, but this month we are happy to tell you that you can drag things out with these smaller stylus packs. Each contains a stylus, game box and screen wipe, all themed around a particular character (Diavolo, Katsuma, and Poppet.) They’re great, because they cost 99 bucks and should be a nagging solution for at least three months. Added that, they’re compatible with the Nintendo DS, DSI, DS Lite, 3DS and DS XL, which covers pretty much every potential nagger out there. We’re glad we could help. g g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 1 8 • A p r i l 2 0 1 2

AT A GLANCE: PROS:

• Will keep the addicted kiddies happy…

CONS:

• …for three months

Manufacturer: Lazerbuilt Distributor: Megarom Online: www.megarom.co.za RRP: R99

TECH SPECS: • • • •

Stylus Game box Screen wipe Compatible with all Nintendo DS models

Score

Just the right thing to satisfy those kid-cravings….

78 43

Moshi Monsters Stylus Pack

Fad-tastic!

Mass Effect 3

At the End

It’s all about the journey, not the destination

he best tales of conflict are emotionally charged. It’s a fact. Think of Band of Brothers, as an example… the plot was tempered by battles in this excellent series, but the real meat and bones of the story came from the strong connection the viewer could establish with the characters, thanks to their inherent humanity. While the emotions they went through certainly were extreme, they were still feeling that the viewer could very solidly identify with. The emotions expressed in the episodes were the thing that created a strong bond between the characters and the viewer. Well, that’s one thing that Mass Effect 3 does very well. Here is a game that will (particularly if you have played the previous two) tug at the heart strings with stirring tales of sacrifice, loss and camaraderie. Heroic

by Walt Pretorius

actions see characters set aside their personal goals, making sacrifices for the greater good. It’s the stuff of epics, and BioWare made excellent use of various storytelling techniques to truly suck the player in and make them not only experience the game, but feel it too. It is this story that will pull the player forward through this rather long and complex game. It starts off with the hero, Shepard, returning to active duty when the nefarious Reapers turn their attention to Earth, as part of their ‘function’ to destroy all organic life in the galaxy every 50 000 years. With the human home planet in ruins, Shepard must take to the stars aboard the Normandy once more, trying to rally support for a war effort that has been left idle for far too long.

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Anyway, I am pretty sure you can figure out from that that Mass Effect 3 leaves plenty of room for heroics and heartfelt emotional outbursts. The story is, as expected, expertly told. They have had two previous games to refine their tales of galactic intrigue, (both of which told their stories admirably) so it is hardly surprising that Mass Effect 3 manages to weave a strong plot, complete with all the subtleties and gentle twists that one would expect from the series. What is quite remarkable about this series is the way that the developers allow for decisions made in the very first game to still affect events in the third title. The player’s actions really do span the whole thing, which is really rather impressive. Because of this, it is better to have played all of the

gladget video game • issue 18 • April 2012

previous games, although you can happily get by just playing this title. It does a lot to fill in the back story, so anyone jumping in here will, at least, be able to piece together what happened before. Speaking of all those choices and all, it does bear mentioning that the game’s ending is… well, controversial is a fair description. It seems that many of the folks who rushed their reviews out failed to realise that the ending BioWare worked into the game would leave a sour taste in the mouths of many, many gamers. I don’t want to give away any details and, while I actually didn’t mind the ending, I can see where the problems arose. You cannot promise gamers these far reaching options and choices, only to almost completely disregard then in the final moments of the game.

Add to that the fact that it just feels too open, too loose, and you have a finale that is potentially disappointing… particularly after all that hype, and the brilliant conclusions of the previous two games. Not that a less-than-expected ending is any reason not to play this game. In truth, Mass Effect 3 is well worth the effort, despite how you may feel about its final moments. It’s a kind-of “journey rather than destination” thing, which makes sense, really. The ending may be weak, in some opinions, but the game that takes you to that point is rocksolid. The experience you have while rushing headlong to the conclusion is really rather sublime. See, BioWare hit on a good thing when they came up with the whole Mass Effect franchise, and they have had two previous titles to refine the whole thing. While

the second part showed improvements over the first in terms of controls and the like, this game shows even more refinement. The developers went with what worked in the previous two games, and left what didn’t out. The long periods of scanning planets for minerals, for example, are a thing of the past, allowing the player to concentrate their efforts on finding objects hidden in the galaxy that aide their war effort. It’s a far more focussed method of finding hidden treasures, which is great; instead of leaving the searching out, BioWare refined it. Each found object adds to a score that defines the player’s war effort. In addition, finishing main missions and side quests does the same. The player needs a certain degree of force to take on the massive reaper threat, so tooling about the galaxy doing odd jobs and looking for

gladget video game • issue 18 • April 2012

And playing it boosts the galactic readiness rating. Play a few games, and your readiness will shift higher, which is great. At least, it is in theory. I must be honest and say that I could not see the impact of this in the single player game. Theoretically, you can finish this game without ever changing that rating. Does improving it make the final battle easier? I doubt it. Does it change the end? Not at all, from what I have seen. That makes the multiplayer fluff, to a degree. But it is still fun. The addictive, cover-based third person action of the series is back in full force in this game. It is an excellent experience, overall, even though some elements keep it from rising even higher. If you played the first two games, you simply have to experience this one. Ending aside, it really is a great game. g

AT A GLANCE: While many may find the ending disappointing, it is getting to that point that makes Mass Effect 3 well worth playing. Developer: BioWare Publisher: Electronic Arts Distributor: EA South Africa

Parental Advisory Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

18+ gladget video game • issue 18 • April 2012

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

X360 Platforms

hidden items helps to lengthen the game and improve the player’s chances. In addition to this rating, the player has a degree of galactic readiness. This percentage divides the number rating of their war effort, so getting a better standard of galactic readiness is, in theory, a great idea. This is done through playing the multiplayer game, which is a first for the series. It reminds one very much of Gears of War’s Horde Mode, just maybe a bit less refined. Players get to take on waves of enemies with a variety of upgradable characters. These characters can be augmented with once off special equipment and more permanent additions. While it isn’t the meat and bones of the title, it is a welcome addition, and adds even more game time to the Mass Effect 3 experience.

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii PSV DS 3DS

Score

88 47

FIFA Street

Street-Wise! Nothing Messi about this

etween major FIFA franchise releases there’s sometimes a filler game to keep fans busy and offer some new and fresh ideas, which might just develop into the main attraction in upcoming titles. These games are the FIFA Street series and, every four years or so, a FIFA World Cup game. Street football, which is what FIFA Street is all about, is mostly focused on footwork skills, as well as defeating your opponent in a one on one battle. This sport has become very popular over the world, with athletes pushing the boundaries of what we once thought was impossible with a soccer ball. FIFA Street has players either playing international

by Dylan Bouch or club football, just as you would playing any other FIFA title… the only difference is that it’s street soccer, one on one to five a side. The last few titles have had a skill button, which allowed players to perform some simple tricks, but this title focused a lot on the controls and controlling the player, but even more so to control the ball. Gamers will use the left trigger button with either analog stick to control the ball in front of their player, and the right bumper with the right analog to perform aerial manoeuvres. It might sound simple but the number of variations available is twice as much as FIFA 12. The standard FIFA button set up still applies; pass, lob, shoot, through ball, sprint, and jockey. Otherwise, the only

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difference between this title and FIFA 12 is the tackling in this title the gamer still has the standard tackle, no slide tackle and no tactical defence system, which does make it slightly more difficult. Each of your opponents is also going to try his best skills to beat you with either a panna (which is through the legs), around you or over you. The different game modes will require a different style of play; the five a side match is straight forward football, 3 minutes, two teams and as many goals as possible. Panna rules is a point system game, were the players collect score for each panna (through the legs) or beat (getting around your opponent), but the player will only gain those points if he or she scores a goal(banking points). Failing to

gladget video game â&#x20AC;˘ issue 18 â&#x20AC;˘ April 2012

score first will lose all points gained. Futsal is like indoor soccer but without the walls, so pretty much a mini field with 5 players on each side and players need to keep the ball in field like regular football. Last man standing matches has the gamer trying to lose his team members by scoring goals and not be the last man on the pitch these matches donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have goal keepers. The different game modes have different venues and locations: the five on five venues are mostly official fields (similar to beach soccer but on concrete) including London, Paris, Dubai, New York, Amsterdam, Barcelona and more. Panna games are usually on the street, on basketball courts and other public areas in different

countries as well. Futsal is set in arenas and stadiums. For the World Tour, gamers will need a team of their own, you as the captain taking on the world. Playing through the career will earn skill points with which you can buy new tricks and improve your skills and trick library. The graphics are superb when it comes to the venues, the stadiums and gyms look amazing, the light rays that shine through the roof cast different shadows. The light shining on the players’ faces looks as real as it can be. The players are not cartoon styled, as the former street titles have been. The players look more realistic, and move better than any other title to date. The music is classic EA and FIFA, with hits from around the world and the best and latest remix songs that everyone will bob their head too. A noticeable change is that there is no commentary. On one hand that’s a good thing because FIFA 12 failed

with repetitive commentary and without the commentary the gamer feels closer to the game, hearing the on field calls and the disgruntle fans (street matches). The roaring crowds sound good. I really think this is close to being the best FIFA game to date. It has its pros and cons and my mind isn’t made up yet. The graphics are brilliant, and the various games modes and long career are awesome! It presents a better way to control the ball, and a new way to play the game. The controls are great but lacked some of that zest found in FIFA12. One downer is that players (now and then) getting stuck in corners or at walls while tackling opponents and tackling did not work as well as it should. Every other aspect of FIFA Street feels better and a like step in the right direction. g

gladget video game • issue 18 • April 2012

Street football gets a serious look in this great new addition to the FIFA stable. Developer: EA sports Publisher: Electronic Arts Distributor: EA South Africa

Parental Advisory Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

3+ gladget video game • issue 18 • April 2012

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

X360 Platforms

AT A GLANCE:

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii PSV DS 3DS

Score

80 51

Kid Icarus: Uprising

Soar!

Great fun, if you’re forgiving

onsoles may dictate what games can or cannot viably do, but so often it is the games themselves that define the nature of the console. You could have the best console ever conceptualised, but if the games are weak, the whole package is going to suffer. The 3DS has, of late, been getting treated to a few titles that define its place in the video game market. Titles like Super Mario 3D Land and Resident Evil: Revelations spring to mind, although there are a growing number of games that show that the 3D isn’t just about pretty pictures… and even when it is, these titles make it look awesome. Another title which could be considered as definitive has shown up, based on an IP long though abandoned by Nintendo. The Kid Icarus franchise was around many years ago, but then fell into obscurity. Now, though, it is rising up to new heights on the Nintendo hand held, and

by Alex Scanlon is making quite an impression – for both the right and the wrong reasons. Kid Icarus: Uprising sees the player take on the role of Pit, a young angel in the service of the forces of Light. His mission is to take on the rising forces of Darkness in this addictive action adventure that provides the player with bite sized missions that manage to deliver a surprising amount of variety. Each mission offers a flying section, which is basically an on-the-rails aerial shooter, and a ground combat section, which is pretty much a 3D action adventure flavour. The control scheme changes slightly for each. But it is the overall control idea that scuppers the whole affair, ever so slightly. See, the player needs to use both the circle pad and the stylus to play. The circle pad is used for movement, while the stylus is used for aiming. The left shoulder button shoots stuff. This configuration

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In addition to control tweaks, the game uses a unique and rather brilliant difficulty system, which allows the player to choose a range between laughably simple and brutally difficult at the beginning of each level. Levels also have areas that are only accessible at certain difficulty levels (or higher) adding a ton of replay value to the title. And then there is multiplayer, both local and online, that furthers the game experience, even allowing a 3v3 PVP option. But the console sometimes battles with this a bit. Still, even these down-sides don’t ruin what is a fun experience. The voice acting is great and often the characters will make very humorous comments. Additionally, the game looks great, with plenty of eyecandy to add to its addictiveness. If you’re looking for a fun action shooter, and are willing to work around the controls, Kid Icarus: Uprising is a great 3DS title. g

AT A GLANCE: Despite its faults, this is a very addictive and enjoyable title for the Nintendo hand held. Developer: Sora Publisher: Nintendo Distributor: Core Group

Parental Advisory Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

12+ gladget video game • issue 18 • April 2012

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

3DS Platforms

makes playing the game as a hand held title a little tricky, because you cannot support the console properly. When on the ground, the stylus also takes on the role of camera control. It can be tricky and frustrating. The makers kindly included a stand for the 3DS in the package, which makes playing a bit easier… provided, of course, that you are able to use a surface to rest the stand on. While there are lots of control options, this theme of stylus control, combined with the circle pad, is pretty pervasive, and it makes the game a bit of a chore to play. If, however, you have access to a suitable surface, the stand makes things much more fun. Pit has access to a bunch of weapons, too. These all have various effects and buffs, and weapons can be combined to create new, better weapons. There are over a hundred options here, so there is always something to look out for when it comes to tools of destruction.

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii PSV DS 3DS

Score

80 53

Mass Effect 3 Asura’s Wrath SSX FIFA Street Unit 13 Birds of Steel Tekken 3D and more...

Sky High

Kid Icarus returns

Getting Tricky EA reboots SSX

Final Fight Mass Effect 3 and the Galaxy’s end...

I S S U E 3 4 / Vo l . 3 April 2012

w w w. g a m e c c a m ag . c o m

www.gameccamag.com Taking fun seriously!

SSX

Hit the Slopes Hard.

And you thought that extreme sports died with Syd Barrett by Sarah Snyman

or years, EA Sports has put a bad taste in my mouth. Maybe this is the one area of gaming in which I show my cup size and curves. I have never enjoyed a FIFA, Soccer, Rugby, NBA, men playing with their own balls release. Despite being a national athlete and a true Afrikaans rugby supporter, I have always struggled not to judge these games a lot more harshly than they deserve purely based on who buys them and how they are marketed. But, because I fall directly into the generation that fell in love with extreme sports, SSX has a special place in my heart. Despite having a name that, to this day, reminds me of some underground sexual fetish, has always been my

least hated of the EA stable. Although the obsession my generation has with extreme sports has died out quite significantly, the idea of jumping out of a helicopter to land inches away from a roaring avalanche is enough to make anyone drool on the controller. This begs the question, why on earth has it taken EA this long to release another title in this franchise? Despite the less than impressive Blur release for Wii which received harsh reviews from the more serious gamers, there has not been a worthy release since SSX: On Tour in 2005. Just when we thought that the genre and the hype had both been obliterated in a snow storm, they release this gem. Obviously being snowed into production for that long can give great

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results… just ask Blizzard. Maybe this break in titles has given the new-fangled graphics slightly more of a kick, but whatever has been done, it makes this a truly immersive experience. While maintaining the loved characters of the previous games, the title introduces you to nine of the most deadly slopes known to man, with a mixed terrain of everything from urbanised abandoned structures to a descent down the Himalayas. The tutorial is crucial; being someone who has a terrible memory, it takes me a few seconds to work out controls in a new game. SSX have introduced a much broader set of controls, but the classic option is still there for those

gladget video game • issue 18 • April 2012

who prefer it. The feel of the game is flawless as usual, the controls are smooth and the ability to get to those millions of points required to advance is there… you just have to push it a bit harder. The tutorial at the start of the game is not merely a refresher; there are a lot more tricks to get the hang of. As you are dropped from the helicopter and descend into a free fall, you have to choose between learning the classic or revised control set - the classic is great for nostalgia, but the new controls are miles ahead. Not knowing my left from right has always been detrimental in games of this style, and I must admit that I struggled to advance on tricks alone; I was forced to go

back and revise the moves after the game falsely told me I could snowboard. It is similar to telling your kid that he could write an award-winning novel after reading “Run Spot Run”. This carries on in the gameplay. I like being encouraged and not fighting to get somewhere in a game, but this time it felt malicious. I was being set up for failure. The first level, being the Rockies, was annoyingly easy to get through unscathed. The feel of the game takes a slightly vicious turn immediately after that, which left me struggling to decide whether I was just useless at SSX or the level designers took an unnecessarily steep jump in difficulty. I put my ego aside and bit down to get through. SSX acknowledged my effort with a mind-blowing display of a

truly “gnarly” level. EA knows to make you feel rewarded, and an abandoned Siberian nuclear plant was exactly what my bruised ego needed. Because of actually having to work a bit harder than usual to advance, it forced me to realise that every time I reached a point at which I was blown away by the production quality of this title, I was disappointed by the refusal to acknowledge the newly converted audience that it might have. The explanation and hints toward the gear attained for the character and level are glanced over so quickly that I struggle to see any newcomer not becoming annoyed with the interface. I would like to see some more areas aimed at the kids who never saw the previous release. Obviously I would like to be able to skip them, but

gladget video game • issue 18 • April 2012

the nine descents are definitely evidence of a well thought out , brilliantly produced game. And if you fall into a dark endless pit, the developers have added a rewind function, because everyone does things they regret. So to conclude, I have feelings for this game. If it stops beating me so severely and falling in love with other deep dark caverns that it met in Europe, we might even get hitched. It knows a ton about geography and has satellite based maps to boast, it has a great core and beautiful peaks and it has that rage that every girl goes weak at the knees for. And despite my annoyance about number of times I have broken my imaginary back, I love that this game doesn’t have a soft side other than fresh white snow. SSX, I want your babies. g

AT A GLANCE: SSX is back with more danger, more tricks and cross continent descents. It’s Extreme, but with an X, like we spelled it in the ‘90s. Developer: EA Canada Publisher: EA Sports Distributor: EA South Africa

Parental Advisory Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

7+ gladget video game • issue 18 • April 2012

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

PS3 Platforms

come on EA, do it for the little ones. All bitching aside, once you get dropped out of a helicopter onto a pristine white slope, the bug bites, hard. You feel a whole new level of joy when grinding the hell out of a railing before swinging effortlessly across a raven. That is exactly it. Effortless. That is exactly how these EA sports games get people salivating over their annual release, it is extremely easy to look and feel hot. And with these new landscapes, you can just hear the women falling to their knees as you land some obscene trick without dislocating your knee cap. Whether you indulge in “tri tri tri tri tricky” solo time in the campaign mode or hit the slopes with someone who has actually seen snow before in the multiplayer mode,

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii PSV DS 3DS

Score

84 59

Unit 13

Pop and Drop Cover shooting on the small screen

ast month we went relatively Vita crazy, with 13 launch game reviews. Well, we’re still in that crazy mood, even though the Vita game releases have slowed down quite considerably since it exploded onto the scene in the last week of February. This month, we only have one Vita review for you, but it is one that is worth the effort of getting hold of. Zipper Interactive, the team behind a number of SOCOM titles on the PSV’s big brothers (as well as the rather lamentable MAG) have brought third person, cover-based shooter action to the Vita in the form of Unit 13. This game is a rather innovative one on some levels, largely because Zipper have managed to make the genre work extremely well on a hand held, thanks to the Vita’s touch screen. But there are other areas where the game lacks a bit of punch, keeping it from rising above ‘good’ to ‘great’.

by Walt Pretorius

In the game, the player takes control of one of a number of members of an elite military units – the titular Unit 13 – in a variety of missions that range from stealthy infiltrations to time limited run-and-gun sessions. Each operative has certain strengths and weaknesses, as well as a moderately unique weapon set that gets expanded as they level up. It’s a great idea to find one of them and stick to them, because they become more effective with higher levels, and this game is all about effectiveness. This is measured through score. Rather than giving the player an engaging storyline (or any real story whatsoever, which is one of the game’s short-falls) Unit 13 provides global and friend leader boards, as well as leader boards using the PSV’s Near functionality. The aim of the game is to be the best, really, either in the 35 odd single player missions, in unlockable High Value Target missions, or in the ‘Mission of the Day’ which is accessed through

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Another section that leaves a bit to be desired is the AI. It ranges from being daft as a brush through to having across-the-level X-ray vision, but does so inconsistently. It’s a forgivable foible, but it does bear mentioning, none the less. On the whole, Unit 13 provides an enjoyable experience. Particularly for action fans with a penchant for being the best. It offers tons of replayability, thanks to daily challenges and those leader boards, and multiplayer sessions can be great fun, too. Rather than being a massive splash, though, it is more of an indication that Zipper Interactive have a good grip on the core concepts of making a good game for the Vita. If they manage to get past some of Unit 13’s weaker aspects, they will certainly be a team to watch when making games for Sony’s new hand held console. g

AT A GLANCE: A great first attempt at cover based shooters on the Vita, Unit 13 speaks of great things to come. Developer: Zipper Interactive Publisher: SCEE Distributor: Ster Kinekor

Parental Advisory Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

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Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

PSV Platforms

the Vita’s online functionality. These are awesome, daily challenges that the player can try to complete, and see where they rank on a global scale. Missions are rated in terms of time, accuracy, kills and a few other aspects, and assigned a rating (out of five stars) at the end of each. They are replayable, of course, and can also be enjoyed in co-op play modes. While the game is rather addictive and is good fun, there are a couple of hitches here. The first is in the form of the controls. While they are actually quite good, getting in to cover can be a bit of a pain from time to time, as it doesn’t feel very fluid. However, clever implementation of extra controls at the edges of the touch screen (often contextual controls at that) makes playing a game with fairly complex objectives something of a breeze. This aspect of the title was very well handled.

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii PSV DS 3DS

Score

80 61

Movie of the Month DVD Seen

A tale of literary intrigue

gladget regular â&#x20AC;˘ issue 18 â&#x20AC;˘ April 2012

Anonymous Was William Shakespeare actually behind the writing of some of the greatest literary works the English language has ever seen, or was he merely a frontman for someone else? This is the question that Anonymous seeks to answer with an interesting take on the history of the latter years of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign. Anonymous tells the tale of the Earl of Oxford, played admirably by Rhys Ifans, whose love for the written word and imagination goes directly against the beliefs of his puritan father-in-law (David Thewlis). Oxford soon realises that the masses can be swayed by carefully crafted messages, and with the political struggle poised to break out over the succession of the English throne (with many opposing the idea that James, King of Scotland should succeed Elizabeth, including Oxford himself) he sets about swaying public opinion with a series of plays. But to put his own name to them would be extremely detrimental… enter William Shakespeare, a drunkard actor whose desire for fame and fortune blinds his good sense. Anonymous is a brilliantly crafted tale of intrigue that hopes to show that the pen is, indeed, migtier than the sword. A strong cast delivers excellent performances, under the direction of veteran Roland Emmerich. While Anonymous certainly will not be everyone’s cup of tea, the high drama and twists and turns of the plot make for an extremely entertaining and thought provoking film. This is supported by excellent production on all fronts… as historical dramas (with a conspiracy twist) go, this is one of the best we have seen. g DIRECTOR: Roland Emerich DISTRIBUTOR: Nu Metro

FPB Rating: 13VS Score

STARRING: Rhys Ifans Davis Thewlis Vanessa Redgrave

MOVIE

OF THE MONTH gladget regular • issue 18 • April 2012

DVD Seen

Johnny English Reborn

A virus of unknown origin suddenly starts blazing its way around the world. It is quick and deadly, and the death toll rises sharply while governments seek to contain its spread, as well as find a cure. But the spread of the disease seems unstoppable, dumping the world into a state of chaotic anarchy. Steven Soderberg is one of those directors who is capable of producing brilliant films, but can also release utter rubbish given half a chance. Thankfully, Contagion does not fall into the latter category, and Soderberg’s style suits the work wonderfully. The film has extremely dark overtones, yet manages to feel extremely real and natural at the same time. The star studded cast, including Matt Damon, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Gwyneth Paltrow and Laurence Fishburn, manage to bring a massive amount of humanity to their roles. It feels more like a European movie than a Hollywood blockbuster, and it’s sometimes shocking, thought-provoking plot pulls no punches. Yet is feels, at times, that the film meanders through its plot, with a documentary style that feels a little too passive. The viewer’s engagement is on a detached level, which keeps it from being truly brilliant. Still, it’s a good watch, but not one that will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy afterwards. g

DIRECTOR:

Steven Soderberg

DISTRIBUTOR: Nu Metro

FPB Rating: 13 Score

STARRING: Matt Damon Jude Law Laurence Fishburn

Accidental super-spy Johnny English makes a return after many years away from the screen, with comedy legend Rowan Atkinson reprising his role. He is joined by a cast including Gillian Anderson, Dominic West and Rosamund Pike. After being disgraced, Johnny English all but disappears. However, when a contact with information on a high level assassination refuses to speak to anyone but him, MI7 has no choice but to bring the bumbling agent back into play. This film could, quite honestly, have been so much more. But Atkinson seems to feel uncomfortable with the role. Perhaps he can’t get into it, or director Oliver Parker just doesn’t give him enough free reign to do what he does best. At times the humour feels forced, and some of the spoofs (clearly aimed at the James Bond franchise) are heavy handed and clumsy. Despite that, Johnny English Reborn offers a few really good laughs. One cannot help but think that the comedy is aimed at the more blatant American market, though, despite the stellar crop of English talent in the film. Perhaps if they had gone for a drier sense of humour, the film would have been better. g

STARRING: Rowan Atkinson Gillian Anderson Rosamund Pike

DIRECTOR: Oliver Parker

DISTRIBUTOR: Nu Metro

FPB Rating: 13PGV Score

Contagion

gladget regular • issue 18 • April 2012

Messages Deleted

Taylor Lautner does not only appear in Twilight movies and posters above teenage girls’ beds. In fact, his latest film seems to be all about breaking stereotypes and furthering what could be a rather promising career. Abduction sees Lautner in the role of a teenager who discovers that he is actually not who he thought he was after finding his childhood photo on a missing persons website. What ensues is a thriller filled with CIA agents, mean bad guys and action. Abduction seems to struggle with its own identity, too. It starts off feeling like a teenage movie, full of parties and antics. Then it becomes much more adult – extra violence, bad language and the like. And then in its closing moments it returns to that teenage movie feel. Whether this was on purpose or not, it gives the film a sort of disjointed feel, and makes the target audience rather difficult to spot. Sure, the main actors are young, but that doesn’t mean that the film should necessarily have a young feel to it… and the progression it makes through the plot shows the characters becoming more mature. And then going backwards again. We’re not quite sure what the director was trying to achieve with that. g

DIRECTOR: John Singleton DISTRIBUTOR: Nu Metro

FPB Rating: 16V Score

STARRING: Taylor Lautner Sigourney Weaver Alfred Molina

gladget regular • issue 18 • April 2012

A failed screenwriter and college professor teaches his students the fundamentals of a great film, and criticizes their work as being cliché. Joel Brandt (Matthew Lillard) is the main suspect in a series of murders, which happens to resemble a script he wrote but the only difference he doesn’t know how the story is going to end because he didn’t write it. At first the story seems intense and gripping but that doesn’t last long. The film soon becomes predictable and the acting isn’t much better from funny man Matthew Lillard who portrays a serious college teacher; he definitely has a loud voice and is almost screaming in every scene (not that it’s necessary). Messages Deleted should be a movie best avoided. g

STARRING: Matthew Lillard Deborah Unger Gina Holden

DIRECTOR: Rob Cowan DISTRIBUTOR: Ster Kinekor

FPB Rating: 13LV Score

Abduction

DVD Seen

Shark Night

After the death of his wife and son, a bestselling author is haunted by the memory of their demise and starts to lose faith in his religion. When he returns to Spain to visit his brother and dying father, strange things start to happen around him. A supernatural thing around the same time, 11:11, and the clock is counting down to 11/11/11. All round the acting wasn’t bad, the actors (Timothy Gibbs, Michael Landes) both deliver chilling performances, and while other supporting actors aren’t standout performances, they weren’t bad either. Writer and Director Darren Lynn Bousman did get the best performances from the actors but rushed his idea towards the end of the film. If you enjoy films with numerology and Da Vinci Code style twists, with a few demons thrown in, this could be a film you might enjoy. g

DIRECTOR:

Darren Lynn Bousman

DISTRIBUTOR: Ster Kinekor

FPB Rating: 13VB Score

STARRING: Timothy Gibbs Michael Landes Wendy Glen

A group of college friends go to a lake-side holiday home for the weekend, but their fun soon ends with a shark attack. Trying to get home and save themselves they realise that might be harder than they think. Shark Night sounds better than it actually is, the shark attacks are clearly fake and the sharks themselves don’t look or move like sharks would. The acting is fine and it has a decent sound track to back it up. I would categorise this movie as a teenage horror flick which has no depth… and the survivors are obvious from the beginning. If you’re keen on seeing this film I would suggest waiting for it to show on your local TV station. g

STARRING: Sarah Paxton Dustin Milligan Chris Carmack

DIRECTOR: David R. Ellis

DISTRIBUTOR: Ster Kinekor

FPB Rating: 13LV Score

11-11-11

gladget regular • issue 18 • April 2012

Everything Must Go

Taylor Lautner does not only appear in Twilight movies Little Deaths consists of three short stories, and all three are attempted horror films. These short films are not scary in anyway, but instead are very twisted. The first film follows a couple that take in homeless women, where they bath and feed them before they rape and kill their victims, but their latest girl has a surprise in store for them. The second story is about a recovering drug addict on a trial medication to help her, but the drug is from a disgusting source and the side effects are sexual and deadly. The last film revolves around a couple which seem to be normal, but the extreme relationship could take its toll on both of them. These three short films will have you riding a roller coaster of ‘holy crap”. I’ve never seen that before, be prepared. g

DIRECTOR: Sean Hogan DISTRIBUTOR: Ster Kinekor

FPB Rating: 18SNLV Score

STARRING: Like de Lacey Suibhan Harrison Daniel Brocklbank

gladget regular • issue 18 • April 2012

Will Ferrell has a distinctive brand of comedy delivery. But Everything Must Go sees him step out of this comfort zone in a film that is a little more serious than fans may be used to. When Nick Porter arrives home after losing his job, he finds that his wife has dumped all of his possessions on the lawn. Nick embarks on an emotional, soul searching journey as he sells all of his stuff, battling with relapsing alcoholism while discovering much about himself. It doesn’t sound like much of a comedy and, quite honestly, it isn’t. There are a few funny scenes here and there, but this film’s message lies outside of the jokes. And just because it isn’t particularly funny doesn’t make it a bad film; in fact, Ferrell is surprisingly adept at this more serious role. Directed by Dan Rush, this film is all about soul searching and finding relevance in a world that is often merciless. And it does so quietly and unobtrusively. Rush doesn’t force anything on the viewer, leaving this as a film that allows the viewer to glean whatever they need from it. Sadly, this may be lost on many people. g

STARRING: Will Ferrell Rebecca Hall Michael Pena

DIRECTOR: Dan Rush DISTRIBUTOR: Ster Kinekor

FPB Rating: 13PGL Score

Little Deaths

Collectable DVD Seen

Unstoppable...

gladget regular • issue 18 • April 2012

Outbreak The release of Contagion brings to mind another movie about a disease causing havoc… Outbreak. When a monkey gets smuggled into the USA, it brings with it a nasty strain of virus that begins infecting the inhabitants of a small town. Representatives of military and civilian agencies both try to isolate the disease, but often find themselves working at cross-purposes to each other… all while trying to avoid an overzealous military commander from exacting the unthinkable. With a stellar cast featuring the likes of Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Spacey, Donald Sutherland, Cuba Gooding JR and Rene Russo, Outbreak is a pulsepounding disaster movie that will keep the viewer on the edge of their seat, and will keep throwing surprise twists and turns at them. The film is shocking, too, and shows how different solutions to the same problems could have earth-shattering consequences. Directed by Wolfgang Petersen, Outbreak makes use of clever techniques to guide the viewer through what is going on. Its plot is solid and well-constructed, and excellent performances by the cast drive the ideas of the film home with absolute certainty. As far as collections go, this one is almost a no-brainer for inclusion. g

FPB Rating: DIRECTOR: Wolfgang Petersen 15 DISTRIBUTOR: Nu Metro

Score

STARRING: Dustin Hoffman Kevin Spacey Rene Russo

COLLECTABLE OF THE MONTH

gladget regular • issue 18 • April 2012

BlingStation…

Money to Burn

Just wait until you need an upgraded system... by Walt Pretorius

ame consoles cost a lot of money… a newly released console is never a cheap thing, quite honestly, even though we truly love displaying them proudly when we get them. They are a point of pride, and a strong statement about who we are. But still, they’re an expensive sort of statement, no matter how you spin it. Some people, of course, have a need to make more of a statement than others. To this end, Stuart Hughes (a name you may well remember from previous Money to Burn articles) has created a console for those that like their gaming Sony flavoured. OK, maybe ‘created’ is the wrong word. See, it really is just a PS3. What was done to the Sony PS3 Supreme is a cosmetic overhaul. See, while the guts of the machine are pretty much what you would expect, it’s the outside that says a lot about a person. What it mainly says is “can you believe I spent more than R2.5 million on a game console?” Because that’s what you would pay for Mr Hughes’ creation, if, of course, you were one of the three people in the world to get one of these extremely limited devices. The price arises from the fact that the console is built into a housing that is made up of 1.6 kilograms of 22 carat gold. The disc slot is flanked (on both sides) by 58

0.5 carat flawless diamonds, totalling 26 carats of blingy rocks. While we find that the whole thing is maybe just a little pretentious for our tastes, we are setting our personal opinions aside when we point out a few factors regarding this product. First of all, it’s the old shape. That means it’s the old internal configuration, which you can read as older parts. Second of all, while PS3s are not prone to hardware failure, we’re wondering if Sony’s warranty extends to this PS3. Never mind that – who the hell is going to send that much gold in to a repair facility. We really doubt that you would ever see your console again… and the repair facility would mysteriously be short of one technician, who decided to relocate to a tropical island with no extradition treaties all of a sudden. Thirdly, most importantly, the three people who did spend the price of a rather nice house on this game console are going to feel a bit daft in a few years, when an upgraded console comes out. Perhaps there is an upgrade policy attached to it. More likely, though, is that the folks who bought it wanted it for the bling, rather than any sort of gaming joy, so they probably wouldn’t know the difference. Next time you want to complain about the price of a console, we suggest that you refer back to this article. You may feel less prone to moan. g gladget regular • issue 18 • April 2012

Pedal to the Music Making music sound better...

Inner Workings

by Charlie Fripp

usic has for centuries been one of the most important aspects of civilization. While different cultures and civilizations all have different styles of music, it is the one thing that all people can enjoy. It has also been proven throughout history that music is one of the oldest art form, dating making many, many years. Music has however changed throughout the ages, and while we don’t bang on hide drums and sing acapella around an open fire, in principles it has stayed the same it brings people together and provides for a soundtrack to a good time. With the invention of electricity, so to do instruments change, and no other instrument has benefitted more from electricity than the guitar. The strumming instrument has been used for centuries, but with the addition of a charge, it opened up the device to a whole new world of sounds with the creation of the amplified guitar in the 1930s. And any guitar player will know that one of the first things that they need to buy if they aren’t playing classical songs is a guitar pedal. These little boxes have been responsible for some of the most iconic sounds to be

created by musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain and even Bob Marley. But how does a guitar pedal work? How is it possible that a guitar’s cable can be plugged into the little floormounted box and cause such a drastic change in the sounds? Jimi Hendrix famously butchered the American Star Spangled Banner with his Arbiter Fuzz Face and the Vox Wah-Wah pedal, but who did they manage to produce the signature wailing sounds? Guitar pedals, also called stomp boxes, are footoperated pedals that are placed on the ground. The pedal is connected by means of a cable to the guitar on the one end, and an amplifier on the other. When a guitar player wants to change the sound that is being produced, they would step on the pedal to add the specific effect, which will change the sound. There are literally thousands of different kinds and brand names, all producing a different sound or tone. But while there are many to choose from, the basics of the pedals stay the same: effects can all be divided into four general categories. gladget regular • issue 18 • April 2012

Players will be able to buy pedals that boost, compress or distort a signal; pedals that modulate a signal; add echo and delay effects; and pedals that add filter, modelling and multi effects. If players would like to change their guitar sounds to something weird, they will more than likely go for a pedal that modulates a signal. Modulation effects produce the sounds by disturbing a signal’s pitch and/or frequency, and many pedals produce a different sound. The most popular modulation pedal is a Phaser, which “splits a signal and plays back the two paths at different wavelengths to produce a spacey sound, like the one on the drums in Tears For Fears “Head Over Heels,” explains Wikipedia. Fans of Eddie Van Halen will recognise his sweeping effect, which is called Flange - which is very similar to a Phaser. He did it so much during concerts that a Flange pedal was developed to reproduce his sound. To add a little more oomph into any guitar solo or driving riff, players might opt to go for a Distortion pedal. These pedals overdrive the sound of overdrive by boosting levels and altering waveform - which sounds confusing. Overdrive gladget regular • issue 18 • April 2012

in an amplifier is the sound of vacuum tubes pushed to their limits. Reverb, delay and echo were among the first effects guitarists tried to reproduce, and one of the best examples of delay can be heard on U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name”. Delay pedals work by pinging “back a signal with a very short delay, similar to echo, or with such a long delay that you can play a new melody over the top of the original one.” Chorus pedals are probably some of the most widely used and instantly recognised pedals in the music industry. They produce their signature sound by splitting the guitar’s signal into two, and then slowing and slightly detuning half of it, before bringing it all back into one signal. The most famous example of this is probably The Cult’s “She Sells Sanctuary” and Nirvana’s iconic track “Come as You Are”. Guitar pedals have change the musical landscape since the first days that they were invented, and they will continue to do some for many years to come. The more guitarists experiment with sounds and string pedals together, the more exciting the music scene will become. g

Backbone

Helping your PC stand strong...

PC Builder

by Walt Pretorius

o far, we have made choices of the case that your PC will be housed in, and the power supply that will provide it with all the juice it needs. That’s a good start, but the next choice is also incredibly important. See, all the components in the PC – including the case and power supply – need to interface with each other. On their own, every part means relatively little, but once they are all working together, well… that’s when the magic happens. The ensure that all your components are working together at the best of their ability, your PC needs a great backbone. This comes in the form of the largest internal component you will need to buy: the motherboard. The motherboard fulfils numerous functions. But all of these come down to allowing all your other components to communicate and work together. The importance of this component, therefore, cannot be understated. But

often one will find that the motherboard is not as seriously considered as things like CPUs and graphics cards. The question that begs asking, then, is can a great CPU or graphics card truly work effectively if the motherboard is not of a high enough standard? The answer is so obvious that the question is almost rhetorical. When selecting a motherboard, numerous things need to be taken into account. As far as working with components, there are only a few things that need to be considered, though – these days, components like graphics cards and hard drives will work with virtually any motherboard. The same can be said for RAM, to an extent, because it has pretty much become standardised (although the right kind of RAM is still something you will need to look out for). However, all of these still need to be considered, because it is these elements that will need to work effectively with your motherboard choice. The components share gladget regular • issue 18 • April 2012

a symbiotic relationship, and this is one instance where thinking of the PC system as a whole is very important. So, let’s break down what you need to think about when selecting the right motherboard, in terms of the components that it will be partnered with. First off, the case: will the motherboard fit comfortably into the interior? For the most part, this may seem like a silly question, but keep in mind that you still want easy access to your motherboard, in case you need to work on it in future. If you have bought a roomy case, though, there isn’t too much to think about here. More importantly, in terms of the case, is the support for ports that the motherboard provides. Every motherboard will support front-side audio jacks and USB ports, but does the motherboard allow for all the ports to be used. A recent example was a PC that was built into a case that had four USB 2.0 ports in the front. The motherboard gladget regular • issue 18 • April 2012

allowed support for two USB 2.0 ports and two USB 3.0 ports in the front panel. The end result was that the case has two ‘dead’ USB 2.0 ports in the front, and the motherboard’s front-side USB 3.0 support is redundant… a bit of a waste on both counts. When it comes to the power supply, checking that the PSU has the right plugs for the motherboard is pretty much redundant, thanks to broad standardisation. But do it anyway. It never hurts to be cautious, particularly when you’re trying to build the perfect PC for yourself. When considering the CPU, things get a bit more specific. First off, motherboards are specific to the two major CPU manufacturers, Intel and AMD. An Intel chip doesn’t work in an AMD board, and vice versa. Even within the brands, though, care should be taken to make sure that the board and chip will work together. There are several chip configurations, and making sure that the

PC Builder CPU will work with the motherboard is vital. But this is one of the areas in which motherboard choice should play second fiddle. Compromising the CPU choice because of the motherboard you want is simply crazy – rather, the motherboard should conform to the CPU choice, because the CPU is such a vital component. Making concessions on the motherboard to suit the CPU you want may be necessary, but suiting a CPU according to a motherboard is simply unthinkable. Not that this will generally be too much of a problem, because most motherboards support a wide range of chips within certain categories; but dropping down a notch or two in CPU performance to suit a motherboard is a no-no. It is prudent to point out, though, that the CPU is an expensive component, and you should choose one according to your needs. Be realistic here… it can save you a lot of money in the long run. The next core component that you will require is RAM.

Most RAM is standardised these days, so after a cursory examination to ensure that the board doesn’t need some strange type of uncommon RAM, you need to ask how much RAM you will be using. RAM has become relatively inexpensive these days, so putting in a lot of it is never a bad idea… it can only benefit your machine’s performance. What this will then come down too is how much RAM your motherboard will be able to handle. Make sure that your wishes and the board’s capabilities are in alignment. Graphics card considerations follow a slightly different route. The big question to ask here is: do you need one? Most people do, but if you are going to not be making use of software that requires high-end graphics (like games) you may be able to save another major expense by getting a motherboard with an on-board graphics solution. This really isn’t ideal, but if you want to save money and can manage without one, it may be worth looking into. The other consideration for graphics cards is at the gladget regular • issue 18 • April 2012

complete other end of the scale… the power-user end. Seeing as how most people will need a graphics card, the question changes… how many graphics cards will you be using. Thanks to technologies like SLi and Crossfire, more than one graphics card is not only a possibility, but is a boon. In terms of the motherboard, you need to make sure that the component will support the number of graphics cards you wish to make use of. Next up, we have the drives, in the form of hard drives and optical disk drives. This consideration is generally moot, because most motherboards will probably support more drives than you will actually be using. But check how many it can handle anyway… space for expansion is never a bad thing. Finally, look at elements like on-board sound ports, USB ports, LAN ports and the like. Will the motherboard provide you with enough? Once again, many motherboards are rather generous when it comes to these, so just gladget regular • issue 18 • April 2012

checking will probably be all that is necessary. Many motherboards come with a host of features and abilities (too many to list here) that can also be of great benefit to you. These can often affect the price of the component, so a little research into the benefits of these features never hurts. In essence, this is an activity that could save you some money… but always remember that upgrading and expansion are things you may want to do in future. If you can afford a higher end board, great – it will allow you to make those changes more easily. If not, ensure that the board you do settle on will provide you with what you need; the nature of this vital component is such that you would not want it to be lacking in vital areas. With your case, PSU and motherboard in place, the next consideration is the CPU… which we will look at in the next issue. g

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