If you go down to your local market there's bound to be a veritable tirade of knock-off toys and clothes coming from the far-East, looking practically identical to their official West-bound (but probably Asian produced) counterparts. "Gucci" bags or the latest Bratz toy copies are almost always on the cards.
It's also likely that if you're enjoying a sneaky pint down your local, sooner or later someone's going to come in with a bag load of illegal DVDs, which upon questioning, you will find out are "very good copy."
This, however, is taking it to the next level. A photo blogger has captured some very familiar looking cars spotted East-ways ranging from Mercedes' cheaper, easier cousin to an almost identical copy of a legit bus and most alarmingly a Rolls-Royce-a-like which isn't, well, a Rolls Royce at all. Rather, it's a Hongqi HQD. Honest, guv.
Amusingly, the Smart Car rip-off has been dubbed the "Chinese Smart." Come on guys, at least think up a new name.
Hit the jump for another photo.
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There’s been a move in recent times to revive retro valve-based audio technology for the digital world – see the Shanling MC-30 or the Fatman iTube. Philips is hoping to bridge both camps with its new MCD908 DVD Micro Theater.
The system boasts two tiers, one fitted with old skool hi-fi tubes for that trademark warm sound and the other comprising a latest Class ‘D’ digital amplifier to pump it out through the two 75W speakers. Just look at the bottom tier in the photo and you might just see those tubes glowing through the face plate. Don't worry, there's a close-up after the jump.
The wooden speakers contain neodymium ribbon tweeters, silk dome midrange tweeters and 5in woofers. Ribbon tweeters deliver higher audio frequencies in a 180 degree arc for a wider ‘sweet spot’. Philips says what you end up is a warm, velvety - yet dynamic sound - with very low distortion.
All you need to prove Philips wrong or right is £399.-Martin Lynch
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That’s the latest report from the frontline in the silly high-def format war. According to the research division of Home Media Magazine, Blu-ray movies have outsold HD DVD movies by a factor of just over 2:1 for the first half of 2007.
From January to July, Blu-ray movie sales topped 1.6 million, with HD DVD sales coming to 795,000. There have been conflicting stats from both camps regarding sales and although the HD DVD picture isn’t as dismal in Europe as it seems to be in the US, Blu-ray is winning the consumer vote so far.
Rental giant, Blockbuster recently gave the nod to Blu-ray over HD DVD for a national rollout, which will make a big difference as time goes on. It would be nice to think that things would pick up for HD DVD this month but, I’m afraid not.
The sword ‘n sandals slasher flick ‘300’ has been the August best-seller for both formats so far but, while a healthy 97,000 HD DVD versions sold, Blu-ray sales have been 190,000. The saga limps on.-Martin Lynch
HD DVD blu-ray movies
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It looks like Viewsonic is joining the growing line of companies looking to differentiate their products with a little bit of bling. We have Philips blinging up USB products and earphones and LG even blinging luxury fridges.
This is the new 22in, widescreen VX2255 display with what looks like a few thousand Swarovski crystals stuck to the front to give it that sparkle, courtesy of G Mask International.
Under the ice, is a display with a top resolution of 1680x1050 resolution, a response time of 5ms, 300 cd/m2 brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio, and a 160 degree viewing angle. It also comes with a handy in-built 1.3 mega pizel Webcam, built-in speakers and microphone. There’s no news on price or availability for this side of the world, but if gaudy bling is your thing, then this could be your next display.-Martin Lynch
[PC Launches]
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Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
Contributor | Tamlin Magee
