Consumer Technology News

Blu-ray disc of the week: Heroes season 2

You could be Heroes, just for one series...

Plot

Our super-powered pals may have saved the cheerleader and the world, but now there's a new threat: The deadly Shanti Virus, developed by 'The Company', could spark a worldwide plague and destroy humankind if the Heroes don't intervene. But who can they trust?

Review

It's seems obvious now that the producers of Heroes didn't have the foggiest idea how to follow up the epic first season of their most-triumphant sci-fi phenomenon.

Senseless new plotlines for the existing heroes and flimsy new characters comprise a sequel series criminally lacking the tension and drama that captivated the world for 24 episodes in 2007. It's not that, bad, but falls victim to its own high standards.

Here we pick up Peter, discovered - not dead - by comically-Irish hoodlums. Hiro is in ancient Japan training his hero, Kensei, The Bennets are on the run from the Company and Sylar is awol - slowly regaining his powers.

It's a gigantic mess, disjointed with no overriding purpose, far removed from the collective mission to save that sexy cheerleader. The mid-season writers' strike in Hollywood mid-season was actually a blessing in disguise, allowing the series to be tailed off after just 11 episodes, offering a clean slate for series 3 next month.

Heroes season one was adorably cheesy, there's no escaping it, but when the storylines are as captivating, you can overlook it and embrace it. This time around the soppy dialogue is over-exposed by gaping flaws almost everywhere else - the producers have even admitted as much.

New character Elle is pretty cool, but largely, The n00bs are so poor, not one of them appears on the Blu-ray box and this box set shouldn't really be appearing on your box again anytime soon.

A Blu-ray buy?

There's a bunch of cool Blu-ray exclusive features that add some much-needed value, like picture-in-picture interviews, commentaries and behind the scenes footage while watching the episode. You can also join the dots of your favourite characters with the Hero Connections features.

Extras

Also in Hi-Def, a cool alternative ending offers a glimpse into a different world, documentaries on the birth of the second series and a look into the character of Kensei. A very good selection.

Heroes season 2 is available on Blu-ray disc from Play.com now.

Sony NWZ-A826K

Guess what? Apples aren't the only portable player fruit...

High price + small memory = slim chances. Or so you might think. The Sony grabs a fistful of your dollars, but the payback is a player that is a joy to own, use, fondle or, indeed, stick under Madonna's pillow.

Oh, one thing, the bundled Bluetooth cans sound dreadful. For best results bin the 'em, and wire-up the supplied buds - this way the Sony's tunes ram along with energy and sound fuller than a fat lady's boot. Switch to video and the Walkman's 2.4in screen handles even fast moving images with skill, delivering bright and detailed colours.

Add the best usability here - simple layout, simple buttons, nuff said - and the Sony looks hugely affordable.

Death Match: Neuros VS iRecorder review

You wait ages for an iPod video converter, then two come along...

Ever looked at your iPod and wished it could record video as well as play it? It's a sad fact that there's no easy way to get stuff from your existing DVDs and PVR'd programmes onto the wee chap without shelling out for them all over again through the iTunes Store.

Sure, there are plenty of convoluted methods for decrypting, ripping or re-recording to an iPod-friendly format and illegal file-sharers willing to let you download dodgy digital copies.

Now, however, there are not one, but two much simpler, less criminal ways to bridge that gap between your bulging shelves of DVDs and the 'Pod in your pocket. Which one is best? That's what we're here to find out...

Death Match 1: Ease of use

Neuros

Technically more complicated, but actually pretty easy to set up, with a simple user interface and intelligible quick-start guide

iRecorder

Plug one cable into your video source and the other into your telly. Simple? Sadly not, due to a dodgy display and power connection

Winner: Neuros

Death Match 2: Features

Neuros

A fully-featured media streaming device as well as a video digitiser, the Neuros can record to your PC over a home network

iRecorder

Records to USB thumb drives, external hard disks or straight to iPods (except the Touch or iPhone). It also does... chuff all else

Winner: Neuros

Death Match 3: Performance

Neuros

Test recordings looked great on our iPod, and there are options to record in other formats and resolutions too. Nice work

iRecorder

Looks good on your iPod but it's slow to respond and it may not work with your set-up if your telly isn't NTSC-compatible

Winner: Neuros

Conclusion

Neuros

Plenty of recording and connectivity options ensure the Neuros a resounding win. The fact that it's a media streaming device into the bargain makes it even more glorious

iRecorder

The iRecorder is a perfectly serviceable idea that's sadly been executed with all the grace and aplomb of a drunken tap-dancing warthog dressed as a woman

Winner: Neuros

GENEVA XL iPod dock review

Money no object? Then the Geneva XL is for you.

If you've always been a bit dubious about high-end hi-fi , finding it a bit overly clean and wussy, the XL will make you think again.

It's like having the Ministry of Sound in your front room. It's hard to overstate the sheer, balls-out power of this 30-kilo, 600W sonic behemoth. It's capable of incredible sweetness and precision at lower volume, but buying this and keeping it down is ike buying a very fast car and then not breaking the speed limit.

Push it to its super-macho "100" max volume and you feel its force pounding your chest, shaking the room and summoning the police, if you live in a built-up area. Egged on by equally incredible stereo depth from practically anywhere we cared to sit, we played Manowar's Violence and Bloodshed through our one, and died happy when our neighbour subsequently turned up with a hammer.

Video game of the week: The Bourne Conspiracy (Xbox 360) review

Come back Matt Damon, all is forgiven...

Being an avid Bourne fans, we were wondering how long it would take for a Bourne videogame to materialise. Finally it's here, but it's a strangely mixed experience.

We suppose Sierra's main aim while putting this together was to make the player feel just like Jason Bourne (not Matt Damon - instead a new face altogether). Sounds simple enough, given there are plenty of games out there with the quintessential rugged-yet-razor-sharp protagonist at their centre. But with this in mind, we can't help feeling that they've missed a trick somewhere.

While The Bourne Conspiracy is a pretty looking game with all the punchy immediacy of the films, its biggest problem lies in the gameplay. And it's quite a problem.

The hand to hand combat, being fundamental to the game, does look and sound sensational, which is a relief given how much of it you have to do. Unfortunately it all feels a bit smoke and mirrors as there's not a lot to do other than punch, kick, or do the same only a little bit harder. The 'combos' you're supposed to pull off are painfully dull, but then you fill up your adrenaline bar until you can unleash a classic Bourne 'takedown' on your assailants.

Any normal person would deem this a perfect opportunity to get busy with some special moves, but it's at this point that the game completely removes any player control and simply does all the work for you. Granted, they're lavishly served up on a platter of pure pain, but it's the solo equivalent of your older brother snatching the joystick when you were eight years old and saying "Better let me do this bit." Whether it's down to laziness or just poorly thought-out, it's a real shame.

The less said about the driving sections the better. If you remember Turbo Out Run on the Commodore 64 then you already have a pretty good idea of how backward they feel. At least you have a seemingly indestructible car to see you swiftly through them in the first sitting.

Similarly, the gunplay feels unpolished. Although it bases itself on a familiar set of controls, the aiming system is from the Dopey Stormtrooper School of Marksmanship, frequently leaving you a sitting duck. Thankfully though, 'takedowns' are also available here and can get you out of a spot of bother if you can catch the quick-time events (or as we like to call them, 'lucky b**tard' buttons).

And this is where the paradox lies. As flawed as The Bourne Conspiracy is, it's still fun. Some transgressions are more easy to forgive than others, but we dare you to play half an hour of this and not feel just a little bit pumped.

Sonos BU150 review

Sonos is back in the zone with its latest multi-room music bundle

There are about a bazillon network music streaming devices available, but in terms of both style and operation, Sonos products are usually several cuts above the competition. The three elements that make up the new BU150 bundle look like they were designed up by a very close relative of Apple's Jonathan Ive; all retro-spaceage white plastic and gently brushed aluminium.

In fact, the BU150 isn't vastly different to previous Sonos bundles; wider wireless range is probably the most significant improvement. In the box you get an amplified ZonePlayer 120, a smaller un-amplified ZonePlayer 90 and the same iPodesque colour screen/scrollwheel remote control we've seen before. The ZonePlayer 120 can be plugged straight into a pair of un-powered speakers (and a separate subwoofer if you like your bass as meaty as a branch of Dewhurst's), while the ZonePlayer 90 can be hooked up to your existing living room hi-fi via analogue or digital inputs. Further ZonePlayers (up to 32) can be added to the setup.

Setup is so simple it could be performed by a cluster of blind badgers with their front paws tied behind their backs. The system uses its own proprietary wireless network, so you don't need to bugger about with anything like encryption keys. The only hitch is that at least one of the ZonePlayers needs to be hard-wired to your router, which isn't always convenient, depending on where in your home your router actually lives. Adding a Sonos ZoneBridge (£70) or some Homeplug power-line networking adaptors (around £40 for a pair) would solve the problem, but the BU150 is already nudging the upper regions of the price ceiling. The other minor drawback is the system's inability to play protected tracks bought at the iTunes store. Piffling quibbles aside, there really isn't a better piece of music streaming kit out there.

Blu-ray disc of the week: Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - The Complete Season 1.

No Arnie, but this franchise is far from terminated

Plot

Embattled Sarah Connor, and her son John discover they did not prevent Judgement Day. The Machines are back to finish what they started, and like always a cyborg protector travels through time to help keep them alive

Review

At T3 we're known to get excited about future tech. Tomorrow's Technology Today, right? But, as inevitable as it may seem, we're not looking forward to when the machines finally get tired of washing our clothes, toasting our toast, and decide to toast us all.

But, wait. Didn't Arnie and the gang stop Judgement Day in T2? Yes? No, actually. Way to undermine the emotional legacy of the greatest action sequel of all time with a needless television spin-off.

But anyway, 'Chronicles' is actually really enjoyable, if a little preachy-cheesey. Set between the second and third films, it fills in gaps revisiting and embellishing old story threads, while creating some new ones.

We become reacquainted with some classic characters including poor old Dr Silberman (how's the knee?) and Sarah's squeeze Kyle Reese (and sibling) who join a bunch of new ones, some interesting - some not.

It's taken a critical beating, but the character progression of John and Sarah from T2 is believable and the new Terminator, Cameron is fun, well written and intriguing. The universe established by T1 & T2 is so deep that there's plenty to explore, and at times, it's very satisfying.

Don't expect too much, however, this isn't a foaming-at-the-mouth Linda Hamilton, so the purists will ask if it's really chronicling Sarah Connor at all? But still, bring on the second season.

A Blu-ray buy?

There's some quite nifty CGI, but things really haven't moved on that much since T2, which stands-up well to this day. But still, we can't wait for T2 on Blu-ray and this looks great too.

Extras

Exclusive commentary on three episodes, "Terminated" scenes, one extended episode, production featurette, audition tapes and gag reel.

Available on Blu-ray from Play.com now.