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$49.99 |
$69.99 |
$99.99 |
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| Blocks spyware |
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| Stops viruses |
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| Removes Rootkits |
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| Detects emerging threats without signatures |
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| Removes Internet clutter |
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| Defragments hard drive |
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| Microsoft® Windows® Registry file cleanup |
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| Customized Windows settings |
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| Permanently removes sensitive information |
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| Full system backup (disk image) |
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| Restore damaged files |
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System requirements
Must meet the minimum Windows Vista operating system requirements
Norton Internet Security 2008 , Norton Internet Security 2008 5 User Pack , Norton Internet Security 2008 10 User Pack , Norton 360 , Norton 360 - 5 User Pack , Norton 360 - 10 User Pack , Norton AntiVirus 2008 , Norton AntiVirus 2008 5 User pack , Norton AntiVirus 2008 - 10 User Pack , Norton Confidential , Norton AntiVirus 2008 and Norton Internet Security 2008 , Norton Confidential with 1 year subscription , Norton SystemWorks Basic , Norton SystemWorks Standard , Norton SystemWorks Premier , Norton SystemWorks 2006 , Norton SystemWorks 2006 Premier , Norton Ghost 12.0 , Norton AntiVirus 10.0 for Macintosh , Norton AntiVirus 11 for Macintosh , Norton AntiVirus 2008 and Norton Internet Security 2008 , Norton Confidential , Symantec pcAnywhere 12.1 Host & Remote Standard License , Symantec Ghost Solutions Suite 2.0 Standard License , Symantec’s Norton AntiBot , SMB - Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery 7.0 , Business - Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business , Business - Symantec Endpoint Protection 11.0 , Business - Symantec Multi-tier Protection 11.0 , Symantec Home and Home Office Storefront , Norton Smartphone Security
BitDefender Total Security 2008
The time of the year has arrived when the online security manufacturers swoop on mass to release their latest wares and so it is with BitDefender Total Security 2008, which from the look of the new interface has been designed to go head-to-head with Symantec Norton 360. It’s a slim 41MB download, so even if you’re on dial-up you won’t find it too much of a taxing download.
The interface has been simplified and is built around four keys functions, Security, Parental Control, Tuneup and Backup. To keep things simple, the program checks the status and if thing are fine you should see a row of four ticks across the screen. When an issue arises you’ll find an exclamation mark. To emphasis status, the program uses a traffic light style colour coding. If a problem arises, click Fix It button and the problem will usually be resolved. For the average user this is about as complicated as it gets.
When it comes to checking for viruses, this latest version has grouped antivirus and anti-spyware together, which not only makes more sense but also speeds up the scanning process considerably. BitDefender has always been a powerful package but the 2008 version is even better than we expected. As with similar tools, you can choose to run manually or setup a schedule to best suit you. Updates are automatic and when we were testing it out, seemed to arrive almost daily.
It’s not only the speed of scanning that has been optimised, as the scanning now also handles malware far more effectively and even supports the clearing out of rootkits, something previous packages didn’t. This means even if you’ve installed the program on a PC that is already infected, it will find it and eliminate it. Malware is isolated as it’s found and when found won’t even allow you to open the offending email let alone the file attached.
There is now a Games mode, which will automatically disable updates and popups when you’re playing online. This may not sound like much but if you’ve ever experienced these when gaming online, then you’ll know how infuriating they can be.
An internet security suite wouldn’t be complete these days without adding a little more and just as with Symantec with Norton 360, it’s a range of clean-up tools that add to Total Security. So, you’ll find utilities to clean up your registry entries, clear out duplicate files and generally clean up the system. There is even a defrag tool that works faster and better than the one shipping with Windows, so you’ll find this package really does live up to its name.
VERDICT
BitDefender Total Security 2008 has a lot to live up to, not only in terms of its name but also the rival competition on the market.
In both instances, we found it more than capable. So much so, that this may well our new favourite security product and it doesn’t cost the earth to protect your PC.
BitDefender Mobile Security v2 , BitDefender Total Security 2008 , BitDefender Internet Security 2008 , BitDefender Antivirus 2008 , BitDefender Mobile Security v2
Norton Internet Security 2008 , Norton Internet Security 2008 5 User Pack , Norton Internet Security 2008 10 User Pack , Norton 360 , Norton 360 - 5 User Pack Norton 360 - 10 User Pack , Norton AntiVirus 2008 , Norton AntiVirus 2008 5 User pack , Norton AntiVirus 2008 - 10 User Pack , Norton Confidential , Norton AntiVirus 2008 and Norton Internet Security 2008 , Norton Confidential with 1 year subscription , Norton AntiVirus 2008 - 15% Discount , Norton Internet Security 2008 - 15% Discount , 10% Discount on all Symantec Backup Exec products: Symantec Backup Exec for NetWare Servers, Symantec Backup Exec for Windows Servers, Symantec Backup Exec for Windows Small Business Server, Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery Desktop Edition, Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery Server Edition, Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery Windows Small Business Server Edition , 10% Discount following Endpoint Protection products: Symantec Endpoint Protection Symantec Endpoint Protection for Windows XP Embedded Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition Symantec Multi-tier Protection , 10% Discount on Symantec pcAnywhere products. coupon code: 08EPPromo , 10% Discount on Symantec Ghost Solutions Suite 2. coupon code: 08EPPromo , Norton SystemWorks Basic , Norton SystemWorks Standard , Norton SystemWorks Premier , Norton SystemWorks 2006 , Norton SystemWorks 2006 Premier , Norton Ghost 12.0 , Norton AntiVirus 10.0 for Macintosh , Norton AntiVirus 11 for Macintosh , Norton AntiVirus 2008 and Norton Internet Security 2008 , Norton Confidential , Symantec pcAnywhere 12.1 Host & Remote Standard License , Symantec Ghost Solutions Suite 2.0 Standard License , Symantec’s Norton AntiBot , SMB - Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery 7.0 , Business - Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business , Business - Symantec Endpoint Protection 11.0 , Business - Symantec Multi-tier Protection 11.0 , Symantec Home and Home Office Storefront ,
Minimizes SMS spam - Blocks short text and multimedia messages from unknown senders.
Blocks snoopware from turning on your camera - Prevents intruders from entering and exporting data from the mobile phone.
Protects against viruses and other threats - Prevents malicious threats from entering your smartphone and compromising your privacy.
Norton Smartphone Security offers the same level of Symantec security that has become standard for laptops and other computing devices.
Protects against viruses and other threats—Prevents malicious threats from entering your smartphone and compromising your privacy.
Minimizes SMS spam—Blocks short text and multimedia messages from unknown senders.
Blocks snoopware from turning on your camera—Prevents intruders from entering and exporting data from the mobile phone.
Advanced protection: Award-winning Norton AntiVirus™ technologies automatically scan, detect, and quarantine harmful viruses, worms, and mobile spyware in individual files, file archives, and applications.
SMS antispam protection: Short messages (text and multimedia) from unknown senders are blocked.
Real-time protection: Enhanced firewall blocks hackers, intrusions, and denial-of-service attacks.
The Symbian® and the Microsoft® Windows Mobile® platforms are supported.
The device is protected against malicious code downloaded from the Web, sent via email or a Wi-Fi connection, or beamed via Bluetooth or infrared ports.
Other Symantec Products
Norton Internet Security 2008 , Norton Internet Security 2008 5 User Pack , Norton Internet Security 2008 10 User Pack , Norton 360 , Norton 360 - 5 User Pack , Norton 360 - 10 User Pack , Norton AntiVirus 2008 , Norton AntiVirus 2008 5 User pack , Norton AntiVirus 2008 - 10 User Pack , Norton Confidential , Norton AntiVirus 2008 and Norton Internet Security 2008 , Norton Confidential with 1 year subscription , Norton AntiVirus 2008 - 15% Discount , Norton Internet Security 2008 - 15% Discount , 10% Discount on all Symantec Backup Exec products: Symantec Backup Exec for NetWare Servers, Symantec Backup Exec for Windows Servers, Symantec Backup Exec for Windows Small Business Server, Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery Desktop Edition, Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery Server Edition, Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery Windows Small Business Server Edition , 10% Discount following Endpoint Protection products: Symantec Endpoint Protection Symantec Endpoint Protection for Windows XP Embedded Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition Symantec Multi-tier Protection , 10% Discount on Symantec pcAnywhere products. coupon code: 08EPPromo , 10% Discount on Symantec Ghost Solutions Suite 2. coupon code: 08EPPromo , Norton SystemWorks Basic , Norton SystemWorks Standard , Norton SystemWorks Premier , Norton SystemWorks 2006 , Norton SystemWorks 2006 Premier , Norton Ghost 12.0 , Norton AntiVirus 10.0 for Macintosh , Norton AntiVirus 11 for Macintosh , Norton AntiVirus 2008 and Norton Internet Security 2008 , Norton Confidential , Symantec pcAnywhere 12.1 Host & Remote Standard License , Symantec Ghost Solutions Suite 2.0 Standard License , Symantec’s Norton AntiBot , SMB - Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery 7.0 , Business - Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business , Business - Symantec Endpoint Protection 11.0 , Business - Symantec Multi-tier Protection 11.0 , Symantec Home and Home Office Storefront , Norton Smartphone Security
Kaspersky Lab announces that the Kaspersky Administration Kit 6.0 has successfully passed compatibility tests for the Cisco Trust Agent 2.1 application, a component of the Cisco NAC solution . Based on the test results, Kaspersky Administration Kit 6.0 was certified “Cisco Compatible”. |
The testing was performed in the laboratory of AppLabs Technologies, a service company.
Kaspersky Administration Kit 6.0 is a powerful and flexible tool for effective, centralized management of Kaspersky Lab products on networks of any size and complexity with support for remote offices and mobile users.
Cisco Network Admission Control (NAC) is a set of technologies and solutions providing control over network access, which is based on an industry-wide initiative implemented under the leadership of Cisco Systems. NAC enables customers to provide Internet access only to secure end-devices (e.g., workstations, servers and PDAs) which meet the requirements defined by the system administrator and to restrict access to devices that do not meet these requirements.
“The Open Space Security concept, on which the sixth generation of Kaspersky Lab business products are based, involves providing protection for all nodes on the corporate network regardless of their location. An important security component under this concept is checking mobile devices that return to the corporate network for compliance with its security policies. Cisco NAC support implemented in the Kaspersky Administration Kit does this by allowing access to the local network only for those computers which have antivirus protection meeting the requirements of the security policy,” says Alexey Kalgin, Deputy Product Development Director at Kaspersky Lab.
Additional information about Kaspersky Administration Kit 6.0 is available on the Kaspersky Lab website at http://www.kaspersky.com/administration_kit.
The list of products which are certified for use with Cisco NAC may be found at: http://www.cisco.com/web/partners/pr46/nac/partners.html.
Other Kaspersky lab products:
Kaspersky Personal Network Security Package for Linux and Windows, Kaspersky Internet Securty 7.0, KIS 7.0, Kaspersky Open Space Securty, KOSS, Kaspersky business products, Kaspersky Ani-Virus Mobile, Kaspersky Free Trial Page, Kaspersky Lab Free Trials, Kaspersky Lab E-Store, Kaspersky Ani-Virus 7.0
Symantec pcAnywhere 12.1 Host & Remote
Symantec pcAnywhere 12.1 Host & Remote now includes support for Windows Vista and Mac OS X Universal, in addition to current support for Linux. For simple connectivity, the pcAnywhere Gateway provides a single connection point behind routers and firewalls, minimizing port configuration and eliminating any need to “daisy-chain” remote sessions within one another. The Host Invitation feature enables connections to be made from Host to Remote (rather than the traditional Remote to Host), minimizing any potential issues introduced by routers, firewalls, and dynamic IP addressing - invitation objects can be emailed directly to the Host user for immediate secure access!
The pcAnywhere CrossPlatform Remote, Basic View and Tabbed Session Manager all streamline the remote access connection and navigation process. The CrossPlatform Remote enables monitoring of multiple active remote sessions simultaneously in a single multi-pane view!
Of course, pcAnywhere Mobile still enables Pocket PC connections to any supported pcAnywhere Host device, regardless of host platform - now with Remote Management tools to help reduce steps and required bandwidth!
Features:
• NEW! Windows Vista support enables management of Windows Vista computers from any pcAnywhere remote system.
• NEW! Mac OS X Universal support enables remote control regardless of whether PowerPC- or Intel-based Mac processor hardware.
• Host Invitation feature allows end users to establish a reverse (outbound) connection to the helpdesk without knowing IP addresses.
• Gateway functionality makes it easier for remote users to access the pcAnywhere hosts they need.
• Single Session Manager combines pcAnywhere Manager and all active sessions into one tabbed window view.
• Allows Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Pocket PC remote systems to connect to Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X hosts.
• Connection wizard guides new users through their initial client-host connection.
• Powerful file-transfer capabilities allow users to upload and download files across different platforms.
• Mandatory password protection and login encryption help ensure that only authorized users can access a pcAnywhere host.
• Uses FIPS 140-2 validated encryption up to AES 256-bit.
• Bandwidth Auto-Detect automatically maximizes pcAnywhere performance for each type of connection.
• Remote Management tools provide direct access to vital operating system utilities (such as Command Prompt, Task Manager, and Services) on the host system.
Other Symantec Products:
Norton Internet Security 2008 , Norton Internet Security 2008 5 User Pack , Norton Internet Security 2008 10 User Pack , Norton 360 , Norton 360 - 5 User Pack , Norton 360 - 10 User Pack , Norton AntiVirus 2008 , Norton AntiVirus 2008 5 User pack , Norton AntiVirus 2008 - 10 User Pack , Norton Confidential , Norton AntiVirus 2008 and Norton Internet Security 2008 , Norton Confidential with 1 year subscription , Norton AntiVirus 2008 - 15% Discount , Norton Internet Security 2008 - 15% Discount , 10% Discount following Endpoint Protection products: Symantec Endpoint Protection Symantec Endpoint Protection for Windows XP Embedded Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition Symantec Multi-tier Protection , 10% Discount on Symantec pcAnywhere products. coupon code: 08EPPromo , 10% Discount on Symantec Ghost Solutions Suite 2. coupon code: 08EPPromo , Norton SystemWorks Basic , Norton SystemWorks Standard , Norton SystemWorks Premier , Norton SystemWorks 2006 , Norton SystemWorks 2006 Premier , Norton Ghost 12.0 , Norton AntiVirus 10.0 for Macintosh , Norton AntiVirus 11 for Macintosh , Norton AntiVirus 2008 and Norton Internet Security 2008 , Norton Confidential , Symantec pcAnywhere 12.1 Host & Remote Standard License , Symantec Ghost Solutions Suite 2.0 Standard License , Symantec’s Norton AntiBot , SMB - Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery 7.0 , Business - Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business , Business - Symantec Endpoint Protection 11.0 , Business - Symantec Multi-tier Protection 11.0 , Symantec Home and Home Office Storefront
Save the stuff you care about with the new Norton Ghost 14.0. From photos and music to tax documents, Norton Ghost 14.0 automatically backs up everything on your computer. With its new task-driven interface, backups are quick and efficient. So is initial setup. When you load Norton Ghost 14.0, it analyzes your system for the best way to store your backups, automatically sets up a backup schedule, and begins backing up right away. Reliable, efficient, and versatile, Norton Ghost 14.0 optimizes backup space, works with a wide range of media devices, and brings back your entire system in a few short steps.
Key Technologies
Features
Full system backup (disk image)—Backs up everything on a hard drive or partition.
File and folder backup—Backs up only the specific files and folders you choose rather than saving an entire drive.
FTP backup—Copies recovery points to a FTP site for easier offsite backup management. NEW
Offsite backup—backs up your files to NAS (Network-Attached Storage) devices. NEW
Symantec ThreatCon integration— triggers incremental backups whenever ThreatCon reaches a specified threat level. Great for computers without virus protection. NEW
Incremental and differential backup—Backs up only files that have changed.
EXCLUSIVE! Google Desktop™ integration—Makes data recovery even faster with searchable backup indexes.
LightsOut Restore—Restores your system with an on-disk software recovery environment—no bootable CD required.
EXCLUSIVE!: Remote management—Controls other Norton Ghost installations (12.0 or higher) on your local area network.
Advanced compression and encryption—Minimizes storage space and helps keep sensitive documents safe.
System requirements:
Windows Vista® Home Basic/Home Premium/Business/Ultimate
Must meet minimum Windows Vista operating system requirements
Eligible for a free Windows Vista® Service Pack 1 compatibility update
Windows® XP Home/Professional
Supported File Systems and Devices
Supported Hard Drives and Removable Media
Symantec Backup Exec for Windows Servers,
Symantec Backup Exec for Windows Small Business Server,
Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery Desktop Edition,
Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery Server Edition,
Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery Windows Small Business Server Edition
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Symantec Endpoint Protection for Windows XP Embedded
Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition
Symantec Multi-tier Protection
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The HEADPLAY Personal Cinema System delivers the next frontier in portable entertainment. Buy Now To Join the Revolution!
Need another A/C Adaptor for your HEADPLAY Personal Cinema System? Buy Now!
Take your HEADPLAY Personal Cinema System to the four corners of the world with the Headplay Battery. Click Here
HEADPLAY Ear Buds: high-performance, noise-reducing, in-ear sound system. Buy Now!
For Game consoles, DVD players, and set-top box connection - HEADPLAY S-Video / Composite AV RCA Adaptor.
The HEADPLAY Internationl Travel Kit makes it easy to take your Personal Cinema System with you to far-away lands. Buy Now!
Find all of the accessories you need for the HEADPLAY Personal Cinema System at headplay.com.
Buy the HEADPLAY Personal Cinema System and a battery together and receive $29 off of your order. Buy Now!
Receive a FREE battery with the purchase of HEADPLAY’s Personal Cinema System. Buy Now!
Find HEADPLAY’s Personal Cinema System and accessories at headplay.com.
Headplay is probably every couch potato’s dream. Imagine a TV. Now imagine being able to take it anywhere and everywhere you go (except perhaps in the shower), and being able to watch movies or play games on it anytime you want. That’s the concept for the new “Personal Cinema System” device, Headplay.
Headplay is a head-mounted device; a TV you wear on your head. You can connect it to your gaming consoles, your DVD Player, your iPod, your PC, and maybe your Betamax player if it hasn’t choked on dust yet. If it has a video out function, Headplay can most probably display it. You can also plug in a memory stick and Headplay can run the media files - movies, videos, and images - with its own built-in player.
THE HARDWARE
The whole unit is comprised of two main bodies: the Liberator and the Visor. The Liberator is a small black box where every wire is connected to. The Visor is made up of two parts: the hat itself and the optical piece which looks like it was stolen from Scott Summers. There’s also the Navigator - it’s the remote control - that connects the Visor to the Liberator.
The Liberator
The makers had simplicity in mind when they designed it, making sure all we had to worry about was to sit back and enjoy. It operates on a plug-and-play system and there’s only one button on the Liberator; the power button. Talk about simple: if a socket fits, then that’s most likely where it should be.
The only real times you’ll be prevented from moving around while you have the gear on is if it’s plugged into a wall to charge the batteries or if it’s plugged into another bulkier device like a console or a PC. However, you can still walk around about a meter in radius from the Liberator. Or you could just move the fridge beside the couch and be done with it. If you can do the same for the toilet… well, godspeed.
If you’re connected to something portable though - like a USB memory stick, or a portable DVD player - it’s not hard to imagine bringing it along on a road trip… It’s probably best not to drive with it on though. The batteries can last about six hours when it’s fully charged so that’s enough for about three or four movies. Not bad if you’re taking a particularly long plane trip and you don’t like the in-flight movie.
The Navigator
You know how some remotes look simple because they only have a few buttons, but when you use them they’re actually super complicated? That’s not the case with the remote. Navigation is simple with only seven buttons that’s perfectly button-mashable should all be lost. The worst you can do is change the brightness.
The menu itself is instinctive - much like iPod menus - and can easily adjust video and audio settings with a few clicks. It isn’t intrusive either: the menu windows are translucent so you don’t miss anything if you’re watching something.
The Visor
The Visor unit looks and feels like a hat - but is not a hat, so don’t wear it outside lest you walk into a pole - and is comfortable enough to wear for hours. It’s lightweight and won’t slip off easily. It’s held in place by some heavy duty velcro that’s easily adjustable so go and headbang all you want.
The visor can adjust to anything from the size of your head to the grade of your eye. It has a separate lens for each eye, and both can be adjusted for focus and alignment. The optical piece on the hat can also be adjusted to go up or down so you don’t have to constantly move the hat piece.
One disadvantage of giving a large room for adjustability is that it needs a lot of adjustments, and therefore more room for error. If the alignment or the focus isn’t adjusted well, you might notice some blind spots here and there.
As adjustable as it is though, the lenses have their limits. While the focus can be configured for those with weaker eyes, it can only go so far. This is easily remedied by wearing contact lenses or glasses.
PERSONAL CINEMA SYSTEM
Once the adjustments are done it’s pretty much all sitting back. Once you’re behind the lenses of Headplay, it’s pretty easy to just relax and go dead to the world around you. It’s nothing but you and the screen, with the stereo sounds blocking off everything else. It’s like your own movie screen inside your living room.
The video output is pretty sweet: first instinct says the display would be too small to appreciate but it’s actually just right. The display is about the same size as a large TV set would look when viewed from a safe distance - unless you watch TV with your nose to the screen - or the big screen when viewed at eye level from a row in the middle of the theater.
At first try there was some motion sickness involved but that’s just the brain adjusting to having a TV following you instead of the other way around. Once you get used to this fact, it’s all hunky dory. In fact, the best position seems to be lying down or laying back. Preferably on a very comfortable bean bag.
You can hook up a lot of devices onto Headplay, and it can switch between them quite easily even while all of them are turned on. Plug in a console, a PC, and a USB memory card and with a few clicks you can switch between playing Madden while waiting for a group in World of Warcraft, or watch some videos on your USB card while waiting for your downloads to finish.
Headplay ability to run media files in USB memory sticks and compact flash cards is truly what makes the Headplay device portable. The seven-button remote shines in the USB function as well. The instinctive values of the simple layout requires little thought to operate.
The menu for watching videos are laid out in a logical hierarchy, and while the music player requires a bit more clicking than a mouse-user is accustomed to, it’s still fool-proof. The image viewer can also play slideshows with its own built-in player with Powerpoint-like transitions: image functions to flip, rotate, and zoom are even available.
HEADPLAY FOR VIDEOS AND MOVIES
Being able to watch movies on Headplay is one of its strongest features, since it was really designed to be a portable movie screen. Headplay can run the most common media formats, including mp3, mpeg, avi, and XviD. You can watch movies, listen to music, and browse through your jpg pictures anywhere you go.
Headplay with iPods
One of the general complaints about iPod Videos is that the screen’s so small that some find it almost impossible to watch anything on it, but Headplay offers a solution by giving iPod videos get the blow up treatment on its screen. We’ve tried it: you’ll just need a TV out cable for your iPod and connect it to the Headplay unit.
There’s a hitch with the quality of the video though, as some details are lost. However, this can be easily remedied by changing your videos’ compression rates. This shouldn’t worry you though, because whether you broadcast your iPod videos on TV or PC, resolutions are always an iffy thing to deal with when enlarged.
Headplay with PCs and Macs
We got the treat to watch TMNT on our laptop too. We fed a DVD of the CG-animated movie into the computer and let it play: all we needed was popcorn and we definitely would have been in our own virtual theaters.
As we stated earlier, once you’re watching a movie - a graphically pleasing movie with blockbuster graphics to boot - and you can easily be absorbed. No worries about folks behind you kicking your seat, no noisy children running up and down the aisles, and most especially, no cellphones ringing every five or so minutes from the crowd.
A minor note of caution though. For movie goers who always have a soft spot throbbing in their hearts, you might want to steer clear away from movies that could reduce you to tears: Schindler’s List, Bambi, the works. Getting teary eyed while using Headplay might prove to be an inconvenience.
HEADPLAY FOR GAMES
The visuals are pretty stunning as it doesn’t lose any detail from the source. Minute details are just as clear as the humongous ones and color doesn’t suffer.
Headplay with the next-gen consoles
In the Xbox 360’s demo for Beautiful Katamari for example, you get to appreciate the size of your Katamari and also be able to snicker at the plight of the struggling golfer stuck between the duck and the cow. And in XBLA’s Boom Boom Rocket, no color is lost and you can clearly see each individual flare streak off. But above all, nothing beats seeing Big Daddy make its first appearance in BioShock when nothing else can avert your eyes from the screen.
Shooters may actually be one of the best genres for Headplay. You get to experience and immerse yourself in the game more because all you see is the screen. You get to be more into your character, seeing behind their eyes. And with that it has to be said that we can’t wait to try this baby out on Halo 3. In the meantime, Headplay on the Wii’s Elebits and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is more than enough to fill the void while we wait.
Though the Nintendo Wii might have its fair share of games oriented more toward “family fun,” we’re not entirely sure if the same concept adapts well with the Headplay unit. Since only one Headplay set can be enjoyed by one person at a given time (for, err, obvious reasons), this is when single-player titles like Zelda: Twilight Princess and Resident Evil 4 shine.
Headplay works just as well with the Sony PlayStation 3. Each lock of Nariko’s hair is still in place in Heavenly Sword, and the chains of her gargantuan weapon are visible as she dances her death whirls. Meanwhile, you won’t have any problems aiming your crosshairs at Triad goons while running down the streets - and tables, and rails, and walls - of Hong Kong in Stranglehold.
Headplay with PC and Mac OS X platforms
Although Headplay works just as well with the PC and Mac, the resolution only goes up to 1024×768. If you insist on working with a larger resolution, the device will accommodate but the screen will crop out what can’t fit. This is not advisable while playing FPS games like Medal of Honor. It’s bad enough when you get fragged while the whole screen is visible but with that handicap, you’re just askin’ for a whoopin’.
Playing MMORPGS games like World of Warcraft using Headplay has one big pro: we must insist that you watch the cinematics. Throw in a surround-sound system and you have CG nirvana. There were some issues with reading during that game as some of us who’ve tried it found the text a little blurry, but a customized UI took care of that.
HEADPLAY
Despite some minor technical obstacles, Headplay achieves that which it was made for: a portable movie screen. As a gadget which allows you to watch movies in a different way than what you’re used to, Headplay is definitely a revolution in portable home entertainment.
Considering this is a quick impression, you might want to come back and read our more in-depth reviews on using the Headplay in the future. We’ll be getting a closer look at other MMORPGs - World of Warcraft included - and games on the next-gen consoles and the PSP. We can’t wait to try it out on Halo 3 when it comes out.
Headplay is currently on sale and is priced at US$ 499.99. It’s definitely a cool thing to own and might even be a viable option if you’re planning to buy a TV. If you also travel a lot but find yourself idle in transit, Headplay would fit well into your must-haves list.
The HEADPLAY Personal Cinema System delivers the next frontier in portable entertainment. Buy Now To Join the Revolution!
Need another A/C Adaptor for your HEADPLAY Personal Cinema System? Buy Now!
Take your HEADPLAY Personal Cinema System to the four corners of the world with the Headplay Battery. Click Here
HEADPLAY Ear Buds: high-performance, noise-reducing, in-ear sound system. Buy Now!
For Game consoles, DVD players, and set-top box connection - HEADPLAY S-Video / Composite AV RCA Adaptor.
The HEADPLAY Internationl Travel Kit makes it easy to take your Personal Cinema System with you to far-away lands. Buy Now!
Find all of the accessories you need for the HEADPLAY Personal Cinema System at headplay.com.
Buy the HEADPLAY Personal Cinema System and a battery together and receive $29 off of your order. Buy Now! Receive a FREE battery with the purchase of HEADPLAY’s Personal Cinema System. Buy Now!
Find HEADPLAY’s Personal Cinema System and accessories at headplay.com.
BitDefender Antivirus 2008 is perhaps the most improved of the antivirus applications we’ve seen so far this year.
Still, for the price, and for the excellent quality of its antivirus protection, BitDefender Antivirus 2008 ranks among our few top contenders for 2008.
BitDefender Antivirus 2008 costs $24.95 for a single license and $29.95 for a three-user license.
BitDefender Antivirus 2008 opts for a no-nonsense interface. Should there be any security issues, one of the large icons will display red. For remediation there’s a large Fix This button, or you can click the specific graphic to see what’s wrong.
BitDefender Antivirus 2008 covers a lot of ground, protecting your system from viruses, spyware, privacy breaches, phishing attacks, and rootkits. And BitDefender is the only antivirus product we’ve seen that advertises a Gamer mode, minimizing protection alerts and resources while you’re off playing games.
For instance, with antivirus scans, the default setting scans files during boot, recently accessed files, packed files (although not archived files), incoming and outgoing e-mails–so far so good. The only difference with the more aggressive setting available is the addition of scanning activity on port 80 and port 443. BitDefender’s HTTP scan blocks malicious ActiveX and JavaScript, and is part of the antivirus and antispyware protection. Do you need that? Again, there is not enough guidance within the program to help users make that decision; most browsers offer add-ons that will also screen for these scripts.
As for the default privacy protection, BitDefender will look for instances of private information leaving the computer and guard against spyware attempting to install on the machine. The more aggressive setting adds cookie control and script protection, which
