Alien Scottish Technology Spawns The Octopulse June 22, 2007

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Turn off all of the lights and don't move! That's how they find you. Octopulse overlord Brit Leissler is unleashing his worbbly minions to hunt us all down, scanning our movements and replying with torturous sound. Avoid wearing black leotards. And hats. – Kevin Hall

The Octopulse [Shoot The Stylist, via we make money not art]

Hitachi Updates Brain-Machine Interface to Move Toy Trains June 22, 2007

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The purpose behind Hitachi's nefarious brain-machine interface has finally been revealed! The company's planning to make the most badass interactive train set ever.

DVD Copying Ban In The Works June 22, 2007

Read more DVRs , Entertainment , Movies , PC , Technology

DVD copiers of the world listen up because there’s every chance that copying [er, backing up] DVDs might become a thing of the past.

A proposed amendment by the DVD Copy Control Association (DVD CCA) in the US would change the copy protection license to ban ALL DVD back-ups and stop playback of movies in PCs or players without the original DVD in the drive.

It’s being backed by Intel, Warner, HP, Pioneer and Toshiba, Disney and others. This is the third time something like this has been put up for vote but it has been defeated twice already. However, the backing this time is stronger. In real terms, it means hardware restrictions will be added to players and PC drives to prevent data from being de-scrambled and then copied. It will also prevent software makers from making “virtual drives” that run a DVD image from a hard drive. Say goodbye to digital jukeboxes then and streaming kit.

If it gets the thumbs up, it will be enforced in 18 months, by which time we will all have moved on to “backing up” HD movies anyway.

Does anyone else think that as anti-piracy moves goes it’s about five years too late and there’ll be those out just waiting with a workaround?-Martin Lynch

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Sony And Nintendo Axe Manhunt 2 In The US June 22, 2007

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Just yesterday, we covered how the BBFC had banned Manhunt 2 in the UK, while the game has also gotten the thumbs-down in Ireland - the first game ever banned there. This has generated some excellent and intelligent debate [thanks readers].

Now, Sony and Nintendo have stated that they will not let Manhunt 2 be released for their consoles. Why? The gaming body Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has not banned it but slapped on an Adults Only (AO) rating. This is proving even worse, since Sony and Nintendo [and Microsoft, apparently] have policies against such explosive content. One Sony spokesperson said:

“It's currently our policy not to allow the playback of AO-rated content on our systems.”

A Nintendo rep said:

“As stated on Nintendo.com, Nintendo does not allow any AO-rated content on its systems.”

Rockstar has argued the artistic merits and freedom rights of the game but with Sony and Nintendo saying ‘nope’, it’s highly likely that artistic pride will be set aside to make room for some serious cutting – of the content, that is.-Martin Lynch

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Philips Drops Ambisound SoundBar June 22, 2007

Read more Digital Audio , Entertainment , HDMI , HDTV , Hi-fi , Home Cinema , Home Entertainment

I covered this sleek, Philips Ambisound HTS8100 SoundBar back in January and not a lot has changed in six months except for the fact that it’s finally available from July.

As you can see from my cynical original post, I’m not the biggest fan of single speaker, pseudo-surround speakers, especially not ones that cost £700. A few more details are available now though on this undoubtedly pretty and reasonably thin (13cm) device.

Alongside the in-built DVD/CD player which uses excellent, Faroudja processing to upscale video to near HD quality, the speaker boasts six speaker drivers with soft dome tweeters. Unlike the Yamaha YSP series, Philips claims that the surround is not bounced around the walls, but 'steered' to envelop the listener - somehow.

There’s a three-band equalizer and something called DoubleBASS for those deep explosions. Connections include HDMI, component video and RGB Scart, as well as a coaxial socket for hooking up digital devices.

This will suit anyone looking for some form of cinema sound without the clutter and who isn’t worried about the cost. Hey, Marco B, if you are reading this send one over for test – I’m prepared to be convinced.-Martin Lynch

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