Showing posts with label other. Show all posts
Showing posts with label other. Show all posts

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Creative Sound Blaster World of Warcraft Review: Your WoW Playmate!

Gaming headphones? That’s nothing new. How about a set of audio gear custom made for a video game? Now that’s something! Meet the Creative Sound Blaster World of Warcraft, a headphone that is specifically intended for players of World of Warcraft, Blizzard’s most popular online game.









World of Warcraft (WoW) is a big name in the online game industry. Based on the medieval fantasy realm of the legendary Warcraft RTS game, WoW has gained massive popularity among online gamers worldwide. The title has even expanded to include a couple of novels written around its theme, giving players something else to follow up other than the game itself. Now, we have even more items dedicated to WoW, like this pair of headphones here. What’s so special about this particular item and how exactly does it contribute to the overall gameplay of WoW?
Glowing WoW Faction emblems adorn both sides of the headphone, giving it a unique look.



Creative Sound Blaster World of Warcraft (WoW) has some unique features that distinguish it from the rest of the headphone crowd, at least when it comes to WoW gaming. The most interesting of these is perhaps the ability to make your voice sound like one of the featured races in WoW. Imagine that, you can “fully” become an orc, elf, or dwarf, simply by downloading the headphone’s driver from its corresponding website. A multitude of voice options will be put at your disposal. To turn your voice to match that of WoW inhabitants, you only need to select the desired sound and speak to the attached microphone. Interestingly enough, this voice-changing feature can also be used in other games.










This headphone offers some nice additional features as well, such as music equalizer, volume adjustment buttons for both the sound drivers and microphone, THX sound effects, and decorative lighting effects on the exterior. User profiles can also be customized using character pictures from the World of Warcraft game. Note that these extra facilities would only be accessible after you install the driver. That means you cannot expect to have full functionality on any other computer that doesn’t have the driver installed.






Now, after we have explored the headphone’s features, it’s time to check its sound quality! As a headphone that is obviously gaming-oriented, Creative Sound Blaster World of Warcraft produces strong low-frequency and background sounds to enhance the overall atmosphere of a game. If you like big explosions, you won’t be disappointed. Other frequencies are equally well-reproduced too, from clashing swords, whistling arrows, and clanking armor suits, all can be heard in remarkable clarity. There is no doubt that Creative’s WoW headphone really works out for games.
The microphone stick is flexible, allowing for more freedom in adjusting its orientation to suit your liking.
The story’s a bit different when it comes to songs, though, particularly those with slower tempo and rich details. The negative effect of the sound boost implemented in Creative Sound Blaster World of Warcraft is that it kills the small details in mid-range and higher frequencies. However, if you don’t typically listen to this kind of music (examples include classical and “audiophile” songs), there is nothing to worry about. Bass frequencies could actually benefit from the boost.
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Your comfort is assured with Creative WoW’s ear cushions, wrapped in soft leather.
How about the microphone then? Creative Sound Blaster World of Warcraft has a nice, detachable mic that can be removed when not needed. When attached, its flexible plastic body allows the mike to be oriented in various directions to suit your preference. The mic captures reasonably clear sound while minimizing background noise interference.
As with most other headphones of its type, you can adjust Creative Sound Blaster WoW’s headband length for a better fit on your head.
What about the looks? As an addition to good sound quality, gaming headphones should make the owner proud by sporting fancy looks, especially in the presence of other gamers. In this regard, the Creative Sound Blaster World of Warcraft does not disappoint. The WoW theme is applied thoroughly on this headphone, resulting in a striking appearance that would immediately remind everyone of the game. The sound drivers also have WoW symbols on it, one of which doubles as a volume adjustment button.


The most eye-catching feature of this headphone is, of course, the glowing faction emblems (Alliance and Horde) on the exterior of its sound drivers. If desired, you can change the emblems with others that also come with the headphone. Finally, you can adjust the glow’s intensity, pulse frequency, and color, through the driver.
You can also customize the illumination pattern and color of light.
Gamers often wear headphones over prolonged period of time, which is why you will find a pair of comfy ear cushions on the Creative Sound Blaster World of Warcraft. They’re nicely covered in soft leather too, contributing well to the overall comfort when wearing this headphone.
Unlike most headphones, Creative Sound Blaster World of Warcraft uses USB connection. This is actually a convenience because users have no need to plug two different types of audio jack into the computer (audio-out and mic-in).
As for the equalizer and the unique voice-changer feature, they are also accessible from the driver menus.
Interested? This headphone will set you back around US$ 120, which is quite reasonable given the headphones’ unique sets of features and looks. Plus, the Creative Sound Blaster World of Warcraft will give your friends something to envy about when you show it in front of them!
Specifications:
Headphone
Driver Material: 40 mm Neodymium Magnet
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20KHz
Impedance: 32 ohms
SPL (1KHz): 112 dB
Mic
Type: Noise-canceling Condenser
Frequency Response: 100Hz – 7KHz
Impedance: 2.2 Kohms
Sensitivity @1KHz: -48 dBV/Pa (Uni-directional)
Included Accessories:
Manual Book
Travel Pouch
Two sets of faction symbol (Horde and Alliance, a pair for each symbol)
Official Website

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Asus VE278: Ultra Wide

by septian anis noor anom

If 24 inches screen is still considered as less wide, then maybe you need a screen size of 27 inches. With a larger space, you can more effectively work multi tasking, and more content to enjoy HD movies. VE278 is the largest screen sized monitor produced by Asus. This screen boasts LED backlight, 2 millisecond response time, input complete, and powerful speaker. How about the performance?

  • Product Name:ASUS VE278 27″ Wide LED Black Multimedia Monitor (1920×1080/2ms/VGA/DVI-D/HDMI/DisplayPort)

  • Model Number:VE278

  • Screen Type: TFT-LCD (LED Backlight)

  • Screen Size: 27″ Widescreen

  • Colours:16.7 Million

  • Dot Pitch:
    • 0.311mm (H)
    • 0.311mm (V)

  • Response Time:2ms (Gray to Gray)

  • Contrast Ratio:10000000:1 (ASCR)

  • Brightness:300 cd/m²

  • Max. Resolution:1920 x 1080

  • View Angle:
    • Horizontal: 170°
    • Vertical: 160°

  • Tilt Angle:-5°/20°

  • Input Connector:
    • 1 x VGA
    • 1 x DisplayPort
    • 1 x DVI-D
    • 1 x HDMI
    • 1 x Headphone Jack
    • 1 x Line in

  • Audio:2 x 3W

  • Product Dimensions: 643mm x 445mm x 220mm

  • Net Weight:6.5Kg

  • Gross Weight:9.8Kg

  • Input Power Source:Power Lead

  • Power Consumption:
    • Normal operation: 45 W
    • Off/Suspend/Stand-by mode: 2 W

  • Special Features:
    • True-to-life Pictures Powered by LED
    • Full HD with HDMI
    • Rich I/O Ports- Allow Simultaneous Connections to More Video Devices
    • Picture in Picture – Display 2 Different Signals Simultaneously
    • Splendid Video Intelligence Technology

  • Package Contents:
    • Quick Start Guide
    • DVI Lead
    • VGA Lead
    • Power Lead
    • Audio Lead   

      Product Tour

      Viewed from the front, ASUS VE278 didn’t show anything special. Thin enough black bexel, the control buttons on the bottom right, with the base and neck are quite heavy. Perhaps it should be considered very heavy. VE278 weights almost twice 24″ screen.
      If you have a special preference to the type of display connection, VE278 is an excellent choice. This monitor accommodates all types of connections available today. From left to right, DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI, and VGA. At the left end, there were in and out audio ports.

      Menu dan Feature


      VE278 has a very unique features, namely the Picture in Picture. PiP is a mode where you can display two views simultaneously on screen. The position and size of the screen can be changed, as well as source input.
       Another feature we really liked is the built-in speakers on this monitor. Generally, the speakers on the monitor no more than a gimmick. Not so with the VE278. This monitor has a television class speakers! These two 3 watt speakers not only have a strong power,but also good quality sound.

      Performance

      Testing is done by connecting the screen to the testbed using the DVI connection. The whole setting in the display is the factory default.

      Light Bleed: ★★★☆☆

      Asus VE278 black screen
      In this case, the monitor achieved only 3 stars. Actually Asus VE278 showed only a slight light bleeding. However, there something is more disturbing, named uniformity. There is dark-bright part that visible enough if the screen is used in a dark room.

      Contrast and Gamut: ★★★☆☆

      In terms of grey luminance, Asus VE278 can display luminance of the value of 1 to 253. With a value of 99.6%,of course we can call it a good score. However, our difficulty in obtaining the same results on the test color gamut. In some primary colors like red, blue,green, VE278 produce saturation clipping. The problem does not stop there. Gradation from light to dark indicates the appeal (lines).It’s gone if the appeal was moved to the VGA input, but then turns up the annoying flickering. We’re pretty sure that by tweaking and calibration, VE 278 can give good results, but we’ve already established that the testing must be done with the factory default.

      Viewing Angle: ★★★☆☆

      Most manufacturers measure viewing angle at a value of 10% luminance, or the angle at which the brightness down to 1 / 10 of the measurement at 0 °. We tested on a more realistic value, 25% luminance. Of course, this means our test value is lower than one specified by the manufacturer.
      Asus VE278 viewing angle
      Asus VE278 has 106 °  horizontal viewing angle and 130 ° vertical. This value is quite good. However, the TN panel in this display produces color shift with increasing angle of view, especially in white color.

      Contrast Ratio: ★★★☆☆

      Contrast ratio measurements was done by measuring the brightness of a perfect black screen and compare it with a perfect white screen. Measurements were taken at the lowest and highest brightness backlight. Dynamic contrast ratio is also measured, using the comparison of highest brightness value of white on lowest brightness value of black.

      Asus VE278 Contrast Ratio
      A normal LCD screen has a contrast ratio in the range 400-750:1. Therefore, a value of about 550:1 is achieved Asus VE278 is still within normal limits.

      Backlight Level: ★★★☆☆

      VE278 backlight brightness range between 95-234 cd/m2. Both the top and bottom of the display value is still included in the normal level.

      Black Level: ★★★★☆

      At the lowest level, black level of 0.17 cd/m2 achieved by the Asus VE278. This value is pretty good.

      Input Lag: ★★★★☆

      Input lag test showed the value of 15-35 milisecond. This means that Asus VE278 has a lag of about 1 to 2 frames if you’re playing games with a rate of 60 fps.

      Response Time: ★★★★★

      Most manufacturers write response time claim for the grey-to-grey. We measured the response time, black-to-white, which represents more actual performance. Because of differences in this measurement method, which claim to display the value of  8ms response usually has real response about 20-25ms,  while ones claiming 12ms to have a real response of 30+ms.
      Asus claims the value of 2ms (GTG) and we found no ghosting at all in our tests. Our tests are accurate to the real value of 15ms and a response can be certained Asus VE278 has a response time lower than this.

      Power Consumption: ★★★★★

      With LED backlight, Asus VE278 is certain to have lower power consumption. At the lowest level of brightness, this monitor requires only 23 Watts. While at the highest level, AsusVE278 draw 37 watts of power.

      Conclusion

      Price of current 27-inch display is still not attractive. With the same fund, you can buy 2 monitors 22 “-24″. This is what makes us should demand more of a display 27 “.  AsusVE278 is not more expensive than other 27-inch displays on the market. Meanwhile, the specifications considered the best on the market. So, from this side of the Asus looks to be in the “right path”.
      Asus VE278 testing left the impression that ”mixed”. On the one hand, the large size is very comfortable to the eye. Response time is very good, flexible inputs, and low power consumption make it suitable for watching action movies and even gamers. On the other hand, no manufacturer standard image results as well as expected, if you want to use it to edit photos for example. You need to calibrate the display to get a good view.
      Overall, Asus VE278 is a good choice for  27 ” display. Indeed, you need to do a calibration to obtain the best image quality. However, with better display performance, complete specification, low power consumption, and price is not suffocating, this monitor can be a good choice.

      Good Points


    • Good and powerful speakers

    • Fast response time

    • Many Input Choices

    • Low Power Comsuption

    Weakness
    • Resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels on a 27 inches screen makes a pixel pitch larger than normal

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