Top 5 Blu-Ray Media Players

To make your movies have real HD video quality on your laptop or HTPC you need the best Blu-ray playback suits. There are a lot of media players available out there in the market, but only a few will provide you the expected results. Here are the top five Blu-ray attuned media players giving a whole new experience for your movies and videos.

1. CyberLink Power DVD

CyberLink PowerDVD

Most of the devices having a Blu-ray drive will be pre-installed by Power DVD. This supports Blu-ray discs, 3D Blu-ray discs, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, plays all type of videos and also supports audio playbacks and slideshows. Power DVD Mobile can be installed in Android phone or tablet and there is Power DVD Remote which will convert your Smartphone or tablet into a remote control for your Power DVD enabled system. There are three variants of Power DVD; Power DVD standard for $40Power DVD Deluxe for $56 Power DVD Ultra $60.

2. ArcSoft Total Media

ArcSoft Total Media

ArcSoft Total Media gives a full Blu-ray support along with 3D Blu-ray. It enables you to stream other internet sources like Youtube and it has a feature to amend you system’s region code which goes with the disc you are playing. Total Media Theatre can be downloaded for a free trial, but to get a full functional version you have to invest $100.

3. SlySoft AnyDVD HD

SlySoft AnyDVD 

The most useful feature of this media player is its adaptive tool which makes the discs and systems run in any player, region or format.Its haves you the choice to run your disc on any display and video connection. There is a 21 days free trial version available after which you have to shed $82 to get a license along with one year update.

4. PotPlay

PotPlay

This player is free, simple, and lightweight. It plays Blu-ray, HD Videos even if it is embedded in ZIP and RAR archives and also supports discs and ripped videos. This playback suite is available in 32 and 64-bit with lots of customized skin.

5. Corel WinDVD Pro

Corel WinDVD Pro

Corel WinDVD Pro is available in lots of systems which have a Blu-ray drive. Its supports 3D videos, upscale the normal DVDs and also cleanups ripped videos and disks. It also includes variety of enhancement tools. There is a free trial version available, but the full licensed version will cost $59.

Android with Dijit Universal Remote App

Dijit Universal Remote app is a product of Dijit Media. This app makes your Android smartphones and tablets morph themselves into a customized remote control with TV channel lists and show guides. In addition to the remote control, this free app gets you to access TV, cable/satellite box, A/V box, local cable or satellite service.

Android Remote Application

The app consists of built-in device code (over 200,000 TVs, DVD players, Blu-Rays, DVRs, Set-Tops, and more) library for instant programming, integrated learning feature for advanced or custom controls, fully customizable button layout, support for multiple systems in different rooms or homes, WiFi support for Roku owners to control their Roku Media Players with their Android devices, Program guide that works with every channel provider in the US and Canada.

This app is also there in the Apple’s app stores; the app has to be paired with Griffin Technology's Beacon to serve its purpose for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. There are some additional features like TV recommendations from Facebook, YouTube video clip search, playback, and sharing integrated into TV show guide in the Apple version.

With the entry of this app into the Android market there will be a lot of changes in the TV market. Big layers like Samsung, LG and Sony coming up with smartphone controlled Smart TVs seems to be more real and promising now.

Samsung Unveils Dual Screen Wi-Fi Camera

Samsung has launched a new dual view digital camera, DV300F. It is the fifth addition to the dual LCD camera series and the first one to have Wi-Fi connectivity in its range.

The camera offers 16.4 MP, 5X wide-angle optical zoom lens and it has CCD sensor with 3 inch display at the back and 1.5 inch front LCD display. The camera also features optical image stabilization, ISO up to 3200, DLNA support, in-built GPS module for image Geo tagging, 720 pixels of HD video recording at 30 frames per second and expandable memory up to 32GB. The camera also has AV out port, mini USB port, built in microphones and speakers.

Samsung's Wi-Fi Camera

 The Wi-Fi addition to this camera allows users to upload photos and videos directly from the camera to Facebook, PhotoBucket, Picasa, Flickr and YouTube. You can also transfer photos and videos wirelessly to a PC or to cloud storage services like Microsoft SkyDrive. The Samsung has also introduced a free Samsung Remote ViewFinder app for Android and iOS devices to remotely control this camera.

The price details for this Dual Screen Wi-Fi camera in India is not yet disclosed, it is expected to be around Rs. 10,600 to 12,500 and it will be available in the first quarter of 2012.

Intel 'Clover Trail' to Power Windows 8 Tablet

Computer manufacturer Acer and Lenovo are planning to launch Windows 8 tablet powered by Intel’s Clover Trail processor in the third quarter this year, reports Digitimes.

Windows 8 Tablet

The report also says, the Clover Trail is scheduled for release until June and it’s about the same time that Windows 8 is expected to reach the market. Intel has not yet provided any details about specifications and availability of Clover Trail. However, Intel will provide a demo of Clover Trail based prototype tablet which runs on Windows 8 OS at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in January 2012.

 
While, Intel’s Medfield has not yet released and it seems that the company is talking about its successor Clover Trail. Intel has also said to launch Medfield processor in January 2012 at CES which is developed to improve the performance of smartphones and tablets. But the difference is that the Medfield will focus on Android based devices and Clover Trail will focus more on Windows 8 based devices.

It is clear that Intel is likely to come in two varieties of processors in 2012, Medfield in the first quarter and Clover Trail in the third quarter of 2012.

Top 10 Anticipated Video Games of 2012

The year 2011 was great for gamers with lots of games released like F1 2011, Uncharted 3, Battlefield 3, The Elder Scroll V Skyrim and many more. 2012 is shaping up to be an incredible year for gaming. Here are the anticipated video games of 2012.

1. Halo 4

Halo 4 is an upcoming video game which is developed for Xbox 360. The game is developed by 343 Industries, an American video game developer at Washington, whereas the previous Halo games were developed by Bungie.

The game will mark the return of the Master Chief as the main character in the game to tackle his own destiny and face an ancient evil, Cortana, a character which also appeared in the previous series of Halo. The game is less focused on traditional first person shooter kind as Halo series did, instead relying more on mystery, exploration and discovery. The game is set for release in 2012.

2. Grand Theft Auto 5

The Grand Theft Auto 5 is an upcoming open world action and adventure video game which is being developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games for Xbox 360, Windows PS3 platform. This is the fifth version of Grand Theft Auto series.

The debut trailer for Grand Theft Auto V was unveiled on 2 November 2011 and it will be the biggest release of 2012.

3. Mass Effect 3

Mass Effect 3 is an action role-playing game developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts for Windows, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 platform. The game is scheduled to release in March 2012.

The interesting part is that the saved files form Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 can be imported into Mass Effect 3. If a saved file is imported, over 1,000 variables will be pulled that will help shape how the final chapter is experienced. If there are no saved files available, there will be no origin-story comic for new players to help them make quick decisions like there was in Mass Effect 2.

4. BioShock: Infinite

The BioShock Infinite is a first person shooter video game developed by Irrational Games for Windows, PS3 and Xbox 360 platform. This is the third game in the BioShock series and is set to release in 2012.

This game is not a direct follow up of its previous versions of BioShock games though it features similar gameplay concept and themes. This player is in an attempt to rescue a woman named Elizabeth trapped in the collapsing air-city Columbia in 1912.

5. Diablo III

Diablo III is an upcoming horror themed role playing action game, being developed by Blizzard for Windows and Mac OS. It’s the third installment in the Diablo series. The game is set to release in first quarter of 2012.

Diablo III is similar in style to its previous Diablo II game. As the other Diablo series the game takes place in Sanctuary which is the dark fantasy world of the Diablo series.

6. Borderlands 2

The Borderlands 2 is based on first person shooter with role playing game. It is under development by Gearbox Software for Windows, PS3 and Xbox 360 platform. This game is expected to release in July 2012.

The gameplay of the Borderlands 2 is similar to its previous game Borderland includes character building elements. At the start of the game, players has to select one from four new characters, each character is unique with special skill with weapons.

7. Max Payne 3

Max Payne 3 is third person shooter video game, which is under development by Rockstar Vancouver with Toronto Studio for Windows, PS3 and Xbox 360 platforms. It is expected to be released in March 2012.

8. Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider is an action and adventure video game published by Square Enix and currently under the development with Crystal Dynamics for Windows, PS 3 and Xbox 360. This game is the ninth installment of the Tomb Raider Series and it is expected to release in the third quarter of 2012. The developers are said to not provide any connection with the previous Tomb Raider series.

9. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is a single-player video game and being developed by 38 Studios and Big Huge Games for Windows, PS 3 and Xbox 3. The lead designer of The Elder Scroll III: Morrowind and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is the executive designer of this game.

The game will be released on February 2012 in North America and Europe.

10. Guild Wars 2

The Guild Wars 2 is a multiplayer online role playing game. It’s under the development by ArenaNet and expected to be released in 2012.

This game uses a heavily modified version of the proprietary game engine which was developed for the previous version by ArenaNet. The recent modification includes real time 3D environments, improved graphics and animations.