Featured Software Reviews

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Season of the Witch Blu-ray Disc Review
Scott A. — last modified May 17, 2012 16:46

From a distance, the trailers and marketing materials announcing Dominic Sena's Season of the Witch indeed looked promising and perhaps beyond mildly entertaining – sure, the title shared the subhead of the 1980s franchise-breaker Halloween III: Season of the Witch, starring the great character actor Tom Atkins, but the clips of the film from pre-release shots and teasers suggested hyper-aggressive demons, CGI-endowed werewolves a la Van Helsing and some butt-kickin’ crusaders from the middle ages era doing justice the only way they know how. A couple of issues abounded, though – first of all, I didn’t see Nicolas Cage in this kind of film or role, but from what I gathered, he needed a quick payday due to some personal and financial issues. Alas, his performance in this justifies my reservations, as his dialogue delivery and overall presence just seems way out of place.

DISH Updates Remote Access iPad App with Retina Support
Clint DeBoer — last modified May 16, 2012 09:11

DISH released it's iOS and Android Remote Access apps some time ago. To be perfectly honest, they got the job done, but didn't offer much in the way of stability or efficient use of the platforms. Now, DISH has completely reengineered the iOS app to take advantage of the iPad's larger screen - and also to address multi-tasking and ease-of-use. The new (and still free) app improves the performance and enhances the on-screen dashboard so customers can easily find and watch their favorite programs. Customers can continue to watch live and recorded TV anytime, anywhere using the app in concert with an Internet-connected DISH receiver and a Sling Adapter. On the iPad, DISH offers the added ability to stream thousands of titles from an expansive on-demand library of Blockbuster @Home titles and premium networks.

Mission Impossible IV: Ghost Protocol Blu-ray Review
Scott A — last modified April 26, 2012 21:37

Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg and (in an all-too-brief role) Tom Wilkinson star in Brad Bird’s latest entry in the Mission Impossible franchise. To say nothing of the super- sexy Paula Patton who kicks tail with the best of the super-spies. Paramount’s Blu-ray release of Ghost Protocol proves to be pure eye and ear candy, with a near-reference Dolby TrueHD track and eye-popping 1080p transfer. This was a version that could shine on its own as a kinetic action film, able to be enjoyed by viewers outside the diehard fanbase of the previous Mission Impossible films in the franchise. Check out our comprehensive review of this Blu-ray disc.

RipDigital Audio CD Ripping Service Review
Clint DeBoer — last modified March 14, 2011 08:06

Typically when we've reviewed CD ripping services we hear from a lot of end-users who would rather rip their own CDs to hard drive and can't understand why on earth you'd want to pay someone like RipDigital to do it for you. We get it. You're awesome. Now, if you can step away from the mirror for just one second, we'd like to show you a whole new world... a world of custom installers and people who generally value their time at a higher rate than those who can afford to rip 100s of CDs while they eat Slim Jims and check out reruns of Star Trek ToS (no offense, Gene). It's the CE professional that truly is targeted by this type of service. If you're doing an AV installation and your client has tons of CDs in his or her collection, there's got to be a better solution than paying one of your guys to sit there and rip each one to disc.

The Town Blu-ray Review
Scott A. — last modified February 25, 2011 21:02

If you liked the dynamic and ultimate flow of Boston-based thrillers and dramas, and appreciate the Irish neighborhood camaraderie between the often times violent young men that populate these towns, the movie "The Town " will be right up your alley. All the elements of those films are here – the heavy tattoos, the gold chains, the tough guy sweat suit outfits, the regular stream of vulgarities spoken with a thick Massachusetts tongue…it was far from a bad film, but I’m not quite sure it was one of the best films of the year. The Blu-ray quality video and audio experience on this disc should prove quite satisfying as well.

McIntosh AP1 Audio Player iPhone/iPad App Preview
Clint DeBoer — last modified January 07, 2011 10:20

McIntosh Laboratory is offering iPhone and iPad users the opportunity to enjoy an iconic McIntosh experience anywhere and anytime with its new FREE AP1 Audio Player iPhone/iPad App, available now for downloading at the iTunes Store. Designed to envelop McIntosh fans in a portable aura of the company that defines the "platinum standard" in upscale audio, the AP1 Audio Player offers virtually all features of the existing iPod App, while tailoring the portable playback/control experience for the unique McIntosh style. With the new App, iPhone and iPad users will now be able to select tracks, artists, play lists and albums as well as control the volume of the music, with all controls fully customized and consistent with McIntosh styling and functionality.

The Pacific Blu-ray Review
Wayde Robson — last modified October 21, 2010 14:58

When it comes to World War II, the war in the Pacific rarely gets the kind of attention bestowed on the European theater. They fought on nameless dots of land upon an endless ocean in an alien terrain and the Marines fought a brutal war against a relentless enemy more than prepared and all too ready to die for his cause. Their battle is equally as important as any in the War and is deserving of equal attention. HBO Films and the makers of Band of Brothers have saved their best effort for the war in The Pacific. Their ten-part presentation, made with an estimated $150 million budget, has won 8 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Miniseries – it easily ranks as the most important television of 2010.

Iron Man 2 Blu-ray Review
Scott A. — last modified October 20, 2010 11:42

Comic fans rejoice as Iron Man 2 delivers in both plot and the A/V experience. Video in our option wasn't quite up to reference standards but the DTS-HD Master Audio track is the defacto demo disc in terms of LFE assault for the Blu-ray format thus far. Iron Man faces a formidable foe that will give your home theater system quite a workout. For those who have not seen this film in the theaters, be warned that this review contains a comprehensive plot analysis. Be sure to watch the closing credits for a sneak peak of the up and coming Avengers movie.

Inglourious Basterds Blu-ray Review
Scott A. — last modified September 09, 2010 19:13

Cinema aficionados especially would have thought that with Quentin Tarantino behind the lens, a subject as wildly controversial as wiping out Nazis in WWII by a rogue band of Judaic super soldiers would yield an unforgettable experience. And while Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds is entertaining in select areas and moments, it just didn't deliver the tactile punch I was expecting, instead punctuated with drawn-out subtitle-ridden dialogue sequences and other elements that just became tiring to view. But how did the Blu-ray release fare? Read our comprehensive review to find out.

Technical Article : Clash of the Titans Blu-ray Review Scott A. — last modified August 11, 2010 21:04

Editorial : Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Blu-ray Review Wayde Robson — last modified July 26, 2010 16:07

Technical Article : Brooklyn's Finest Blu-ray Review Scott A. — last modified July 24, 2010 15:45

Editorial : Passengers Blu-ray Disc Review alissa — last modified May 11, 2009 10:11

First Look : SimCraft Racing Simulators for the Gamer that has Everything Tom Andry — last modified January 12, 2009 11:18

First Look : WarBeast PS3 Wireless Guitar Tom Andry — last modified January 12, 2009 11:17

Gear Corner Review : Rush - Snakes & Arrows Live DVD Review J. Walker Clarke — last modified December 22, 2008 10:28

Technical Article : GTA IV - The Game Behind the Hype Tom Andry — last modified May 05, 2008 16:25

Technical Article : Army of Two Game Review Tom Andry — last modified March 24, 2008 10:38

Technical Article : Into the Wild HD DVD Review Wayde Robson — last modified March 10, 2008 16:38

Music, Movies, Software

The following sub-folders are contained in this folder:

• CD & SACD Reviews
• DVD Reviews
• Blu-ray Disc Reviews
• DVD-Audio and DTS Reviews
• AV Application Reviews