80GB PS3 and DualShock 3 controller for S$599

Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong has just announced the new PlayStation 3 package to replace its existing 40GB kit in Singapore. The upgraded bundle will not only feature double the hard drive capacity, but also the latest DualShock 3 "rumbling" wireless controller for the same price of S$599 (US$426.24). Slated for launch on September 18, the pilot batch is available only in clear black.

On a separate note, its PlayStation Home 3D online community is entering its final phase of testing in mid-September. This will allow users to perform more tasks, including creating their own avatars and interacting with other online players.

Photo credit: Sony

Content-rich Samsung plasma mammoth

It's huge and "connected". But most importantly, the PS63A750T1RXXS is Samsung's new 2008 flagship full-HD plasma TV packed with all the latest technological bells and whistles. Its final plasma entry for the year, this 63-incher sports its unique signature "Touch of Colour" design and a class-leading 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast. These are further complemented by a 100Hz Dual Scan motion-enhancement engine and four film-centric 1080p24-enabled HDMI inputs.

Like its recently launched Series 7, 8, 9 LCDs, the panel also packs its new content-rich Media Solution functions. These include InfoLive, Content Library, WiseLink Pro and Digital Living Network Alliance-compatibility for real-time RSS feeds, offline lifestyle materials, onboard USB multimedia playback and network media streaming, respectively--check out our Samsung event coverage here for more nitty gritty on these Asia firsts (excluding Japan).

The price? A nail-eating S$17,999 (US$12,807.94) in Singapore that can easily bag you a pair of 46-inch LCD HDTVs. But to be fair, this may not be exactly a bad deal if you consider the S$15,999 (US$11,384.76) initial launch price of the smaller Pioneer PDP-LX508G. That's another S$2,000 (US$1,423.18) for an extra 13-inch screen estate. The PS63A750T1RXXS will be available throughout the rest of Asia from end September or early October.

Photo credit: Samsung

What discs should I buy for my DVD recorder?--Ask the Editors

Q: I have a Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK recorder that I recently purchased. This is all new to me. I would like to know what disc type I should buy for recording VCR tapes onto a DVD disc. Also, is there a different between +r and -r?--Lisa, via email.

A: Those are excellent questions. Yes, it can be a confusing (and probably a frustrating) shopping experience to browse your local electronics store and decide between all the disc spindles labeled with + and - signs. Then you notice DVD+RW, DVD-RW, dual-layer, and the elusive DVD-RAM discs that are gathering dust on the shelf but are more expensive than the rest. How does one decide which format to choose without pulling out one's hair?

The short answer: Look for DVD+R--the most compatible, cheapest option out there. Using your Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK recorder, you will be able to record up to 4 hours of decent-looking video on LP mode. Since most VHS tapes hold around 2 hours of video, you should be fine. But if you require more disc space and rewritable capabilities, continue reading.
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Wii storage solution coming

There were plenty of announcements missing from the Nintendo 2008 E3 press conference this summer, but perhaps most surprising was the fact that the company did not address the ever-growing storage problem plaguing the Wii.

Since WiiWare hit the console earlier this year, the factory-installed 512MB of internal storage just isn't cutting it. Nintendo is essentially shooting itself in the foot: Here we have all these new games to download and play, but only the capacity to store a limited number of them.

Kotaku is now reporting that the company does indeed have a storage solution on the way, but it won't come in the form a physical hard drive. Nintendo executive Reggie Fils-Aime tells Club Nintendo magazine that we'll see something even better than a hard drive for the Wii.

What's better than a hard drive? Some sort of online solution? While we'd love to see this, we all know Nintendo isn't much of an innovator when it comes to online functionality. Either way, we'll let you know when the company officially announces something. For now, what kind of storage solution do you think we'll see--or would like to see?

Via Crave CNET

DVD ripping goes legit with RealDVD

RealNetworks will soon let users rip DVDs to their hard drives--legally. The company will be unveiling the RealDVD software at Monday's DEMOfall conference in San Diego, but CNET got an early look at the software. Our hands-on impressions follow:
Operation is simple and straightforward. Once the RealDVD software is installed, just pop a DVD into your PC, and the program will copy the entire disc to your hard disk. Depending on the read speed of your computer's DVD drive, the operation will probably take 15-20 minutes (for dual-layer discs that house 7 to 8.5GB of data). You can copy as many as your hard drive will hold, and the program's browsing screen gives you the cover art and relevant metadata (cover art, stars, directors, plot summaries, ratings).

Whether you're at 37,000ft or you're accessing the program on a home theater PC hooked up to your TV, you need only click on the movie you want to watch, and it'll start straight away. (We say "movie," but RealDVD works just as well for TV shows on DVD as well.) The files are uncompressed, and include everything on the disc--all the extras, and all of the surround sound and alternate audio tracks. Videos can only be watched in the program's built-in software player, but you can toggle to full-screen viewing, and videos autoresume wherever you last left off.
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