CPAley's Tech Blog » Microsoft

Review: Xbox LIVE Vision

Colby Aley — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:37:27 +0000

Have you ever wanted to video chat on the Xbox 360? This is where the Xbox LIVE Vision comes in. The XBL Vision works as both a camera for video chatting on the Xbox 360 and also as a webcam. Today I will be reviewing the camera both as a webcam an as a video chatting device for the 360.

360 Video Chat:

This is pretty lame. I don’t know why but for some reason, it’s hard to video chat when nobody has a camera. It might be because I don’t have 3,000 friends on XBL. Does Microsoft need to utilize the camera more in games? If they do, it just might send some people to the store to by the XBL Vision!

Webcam:

The Xbox LIVE Vision is a pretty good webcam. It works seamlessly on Mac OS X and on XP, Vista and 7 with a few drivers. It delivers 30fps video with 1.3 megapixel still photos.

My Rating:
3/5 stars

Do I Recommend This Product?
No.

ObjectDock: A Dock for Windows

RJ — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:26:13 +0000

This is a guest post by RJ:

Ever wanted a dock on your PC?

The simplicity of having a uncluttered desktop, hide away icons, unlimited customization and more?

Well look no further, ObjectDock by StarDock is here!

ObjectDock is a dock available on your PC. Specifically, we will be taking about the free download version.

Object dock gives you the option to make your desktop less cluttered. You have the opportunity to customize it as much as you want, from having running programs on the dock, to adding a Start Menu shortcut.

With object dock you can add shortcuts, display running tasks, put docklets, zoomed icons, a appearance when the task is in use, four edge positioning, running task snapshot of window, windows start menu, a assortment of skins, swinging icons when pointing over.

Compatibility:
ObjectDock’s compatibility is strictly Windows. It’s compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

System Requirements:

~Windows 7/XP/Vista (32 bit versions only)

~20MB free drive space

~256MB RAM

~Impulse must be installed in order to download and update software

~ Internet access for download, activation and/or purchase.

Languages supported:
English, French, German, Italian, Polski, Russian, Spanish, Serbian (srpski) Note: The interface has been localized for these languages, but the documentation and help (where available) will be in English.

Download ObjectDock by StarDock now!

Review: Microsoft LifeCam Cinema

Colby Aley — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:03:39 +0000

This review will be different from my past reviews. I am going to be reviewing the LifeCam Cinema in different sections to give you a more in-depth review of the webcam. I will be discussing the hardware, software, video quality and my overall thoughts on the webcam after the break.

Video quality:

The video on the LifeCam Cinema is stunning. It supports 720p HD (If your computer does too!) which is pretty impressive and has wide-angle, 16:9 aspect ratio capabilities.

Look and feel:

The webcam has the same barrel design as the old external Apple iSight. The LifeCam is small and has a long USB cable to allow you to place your LifeCam wherever you want on your desk.

Microphone:

The microphone on the LifeCam flat out sucks. Most webcams don’t have a very good microphone but the microphone on the LifeCam is horrible. What’s even worse is that the program that the LifeCam comes with does not let you change microphones so if you plan on using the LifeCam software for recording videos (like I did) you are going to have terrible audio in your videos.

Software:

The software is so typical Microsoft. It is pretty bad but I have to say it is a little better than some other Microsoft programs, *cough Windows Media Player cough*. It is nice how it lets you wear sunglasses and have an eye patch like a pirate so when you are having a Skype conversation with a friend you can play dress-up. (Not recommended if you want people to take you seriously)

Overall thoughts/Conclusion:

The Microsoft LifeCam Cinema is a nice webcam with amazing video quality but if you are buying it to make videos you probably want to also invest in a nice microphone because you will not be pleased with the LifeCam’s internal one. Also, if you plan on making good videos you will want to use some 3rd party software because the software that comes with the LifeCam is not good. I would say that the LifeCam Cinema is worth the $50.00 Amazon price tag if you are looking for a nice webcam with good video quality and have an external microphone.

What do you think? Do you have a LifeCam? Do you like the new format of thisreview?

Photo: Microsoft

Nov. 17th Xbox LIVE dashboard update to bring Facebook, Twitter and Last.fm

Colby Aley — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:53:47 +0000

Microsoft yesterday announced that the Xbox LIVE Dashboard update with Twitter, Facebook and Last.fm will be available for download to gamers over 18 years old beginning next Tuesday, November 17th.

To go along with these updates, Microsoft is also saying that they are going to be adding in a “News and More” section to the “Inside Xbox” Channel. the “News and More” section will feature news [and more!] from MSNBC, The New Yorker and Dilbert. “News and More” brings the latest in current events, arts and entertainment right to your fingertips.”

To read the article on Microsoft’s website about this, Click Here

What do you think?

Will Windows 7 live up to all the hype?

Colby Aley — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:45:46 +0000

With Winodws 7 just right around the corner I’m wondering if it is going to live up to all the hype. People have said all this good stuff about windows 7 but is it really that good? I have not tried out the beta version yet but I look forward to getting to use Win 7 it when it comes out.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6adgIJE8YQ]

What do you think? Have you tried out the Windows 7 beta version? If so, do you like it? Will you be upgrading to windows 7?

Will businesses switch to Windows 7?

Colby Aley — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:48:43 +0000

It seems that just about NO businesses use Vista. I’m not surprised. Now, I’m not going to start crying about how bad Vista is neither am I going to tell you that Vista is awesome but personally I just don’t like Windows Vista that much. I don’t think that businesses do either. Maybe it is because it makes their computers “slow” or maybe it is because it is just plain ugly but XP just seems to be the best Microsoft OS these days. Will businesses switch to Windows 7 when it comes out?

What do you think? What operating system is used where you work?

PS3 Slim vs. Xbox 360 Elite

Colby Aley — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:00:49 +0000

Are you a gamer? if you are, you probably have either a PS3, possibly a PS3 Slim, or an Xbox 360, possibly an Xbox 360 Elite. I am going to be comparing the two consoles for you and tell you which one I think is best.

Pricing

Both the consoles are priced at $300 with 120GB hard drives, however, the Xbox 360 can be bought without a hard drive for only $200 and while supplies last you can also buy a $250 Xbox 360 with a 60GB hard drive.

Games

Both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 have great games. Some games they both have, like Call Of Duty, and some games only one of the consoles has like Halo 3 for the Xbox 360. Personally, I prefer the Xbox 360′s games over the PS3′s because the Xbox 360 has a wider variety and more of the popular games.

Controllers

Both the PS3 and The 360 have awesome controllers. The PS3′s controllers have an older design while the 360′s are newer. One of the nice things about the PS3′s controllers is that they have a non-removable battery and can easily be recharged while the Xbox 360′s controllers come out of the box with AA batteries but for $11 you can get a rechargeable battery pack.

The Xbox 360′s Controllers are by far my favorite because they fit well in my hands and have a nice weight to them.

Online Gaming

The Xbox 360 has Xbox LIVE, a subscription based service that lets you talk to your friends, play games with friends or with complete strangers and much more. The PS3′s PlayStation Network is free, however, it is not as great as Xbox LIVE because it doesn’t seem to have as many users.

The Bottom Line

Both the PS3 and the Xbox 360 are great gaming consoles but I am going to have to give it to the Xbox 360 for great price, great games and a great online gaming service.

What do you think? What is your favorite gaming console?

Microsoft lowers Xbox 360 prices

Colby Aley — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:07:08 +0000

By: Colby Aley

Microsoft today announced that they will be lowering the prices of the Xbox 360.

Xbox 360 Arcade: Still, $199.99

Xbox 360 Pro: lowered by $50 to $249.99

Xbox 360 Elite: lowered by $100 to $299.99

These new prices are effective 8/28/09.

What do you think of the lowered prices? If you have not bought an Xbox 360 already will this convince you to buy one?

UPDATE: The Xbox 360 Pro will be discontinued and is being sold for $250 while supplies last. While the price of the Elite has been dropped, it no longer comes with a HD cable.

Will you be buying the Zune HD?

Colby Aley — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:24:51 +0000

The Zune HD is now available for pre order on Amazon. Will you be buying it?

“Zune HD is the first Zune model to feature a touch-screen interface similar to that found on Apple’s iPhone. It also offers a built-in HD Radio receiver, 720p HD video output capabilities, a Wi-Fi antenna, and a Web browser. Zune HD uses Nvidia’s Tegra chip, an ultralow-power HD processor, to achieve high-definition output.”, states informationweek.com.

The Zune HD will come in a 16 GB model, priced at $219.99 and a 32 GB model, priced at $289.99.

I will probably not be buying a Zune HD. Why, because I have all of my music on iTunes and already have an iPhone.

What do you think? Does the Zune HD appeal to you? If not, why?

Comments welcome…

Mac vs. PC

Colby Aley — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:38:48 +0000

If you’re reading this post you probably have a favorite: mac or PC? What operating system are you running, OS X, Vista, XP, or maybe your running Linux? What is your favorite and are you running your favorite operating system, if not why? Is it because OS X only is available to Macs (legally) and you do not like the hardware or company?

Comments welcome…