The only way to escape the screen was to power off the system. After panicing for a few minutes, I tried another BD I had recently watched. It worked fine. I tried several movies, and they all worked well. After a few tests, I diagnosed the problem: titles with DTS:HD audio would cause the system to freeze. Dolby TrueHD, and other audio formats worked still.

Check out the video below for evidence of the issue.

The strange thing is, even if I change all of the settings on the PS3 to only output basic DTS audio, I get the same effect. DTS:HD embeds a standard DTS codec inside the file for systems incompatible with the next generation format, so maybe that has something to do with it.

I have the original 60GB PS3, I’m using HDMI cables to a Pioneer VSX-918-K receiver, and into a Sony KDF-50E2000 HDTV.

With a wave of 3D products coming to the market, it’s difficult to know what is compatible with the new specs. While Blu-ray Disc players from one brand are compatible with televisions from another brand, the same is definitely not true for the required 3D shutter glasses.

XpanD has been a leader in third-party 3D glasses. They claim they work with any manufacturer’s IR sync signal, the problem lies with the color tinting associated with television manufacturer glasses.

Each brand has a unique shade on their lens, and the television (while in 3D mode) corrects for this shading. HD Guru tried out the XpanD glasses and found they will give different experiences based on different television brands.

Mitsubishi and Samsung lenses add a green tint, and Panasonic and Sony have an amber tint. With the universal glasses, people would look like either purplish or bluish respectively.

It may be possible to set up a custom color setting on your TV to make up for this tinting effect, but you will have to have a TV which can save multiple custom settings.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Victorinox Swiss Army. All opinions are 100% mine.

I was recently sent the Victorinox Dual Pro X red Swiss army knife to review. Victorinox is the original Swiss army knife manufacturer, so their knives carry quite a good reputation. You can’t get a more authentic Swiss army knife than a Victorinox.

Who hasn’t heard of a Swiss army knife? I remember seeing them often as a kid, with the smooth red sides and the swiss cross emblazoned across the surface. There seemed to be an almost infinite number of little tools and trinkets that you could pop out from inside of a Swiss army knife.

The Dual Pro X continues the Swiss army knife tradition, with improved features, such as the nylon non-slip grip.

Victorinox Dual Pro X knife review – the package

The Dual Pro X came shipped in a small, simple box that the knife fit into snugly. The box contained the Dual Pro X knife itself and an instructional paper.

Victorinox Dual Pro X knife review – specifications

Here are the product details, as listed on the manufacturer’s website:

Size: 111 mm | 4 3/8 inch

One-Hand Locking Blade
One-Hand Serrated Locking Seat Belt Cutter
Phillips Screwdriver
Can Opener with
-Small Screwdriver
Bottle Opener with
-Large Locking Screwdriver
-Wire Stripper
Reamer
Key Ring

Victorinox Dual Pro X knife review – the knife

With the Dual Pro X completely compacted, it measures just 4 3/8 inches and easily fits into a pocket.

With both knives extended simultaneously, the Dual Pro X measures approximately 10 3/4 inches. With just the large blade extended, it measures approximately 7 3/4 inches.

Here’s an even better photo of the knife, straight from the manufacturer.

Victorinox Dual Pro X knife review – video demonstration

Victorinox Dual Pro X knife review – testing it out

I went to work testing the Dual Pro X Swiss army knife, in both indoor and outdoor situations.

Inside, the Dual Pro X was a very useful tool that helped me get my surround sound system installed in my living room. I used all of the Dual Pro X screwdrivers (small flathead, large flathead, Philips), the knife, the wire stripper and a few of the other tools as well.

Below is a photo of one of my wall-mounted Polk Audio surround sound speakers, which I used the Dual Pro X to get installed.

Outside, the Dual Pro X Swiss army knife has helped me with my gardening and other work. Specifically, it has recently helped me prune and trim my tomato plant in my backyard garden.

Victorinox Dual Pro X knife review – Positives

Made from quality materials
Manufactured by the creator of the original Swiss army knife
Modern design
Non-slip grip
Easy to use and operate
Includes many useful tools
Large knife
Knives are sharp
Knife locking mechanism works well
Collapses into a small size for easily storing in your pocket
Lifetime limited warranty

Victorinox Dual Pro X knife review – Negatives

Priced higher than other Swiss army knives
Philips screwdriver tool can be difficult to use in cramped areas due to perpendicular locking position

Victorinox Dual Pro X knife review – Summary and conclusion

After using the Victorinox Dual Pro X Swiss army knife over the last few weeks, I’ve had almost 100% positive experiences with it. And although it might be priced higher than some other utility knives, this is a top of the line product, with a large knife and made with “first class steel”, according to the manufacturer. The non-slip grip works well and all of the tools included are useful. All of the individual tools can be extracted and lock into positions that make them easy to use.

I’m happy to have the Dual Pro X as the newest multi-tool in my toolkit. I will most certainly be using it for countless jobs around the house and it will definitely be accompanying me on camping trips.

More from Victorinox

Check out swissarmy.com to view more of the Dual Pro X. Fan (Like) the Victorinox Swiss Army Facebook fan page and participate in Share the Adventure for a chance to win great products and compete for a $25,000 Ultimate Adventure.

The good folks over at XShot were kind enough to send me their XShot 2.0 camera accessory to review.

The XShot 2.0 is a unique camera accessory that functions as an arm extension, allowing you to easily take photos of yourself and others without the need to ask someone else to take the photo.

XShot 2.0 review – retail package

The device arrived in a clean looking hard plastic retail package that had to be opened with scissors.

The package included the XShot 2.0 itself, an attached lanyard and a cardboard insert that provides specifications and instructions.

Let’s take a look at the features and specifications as described by the manufacturer.

XShot 2.0 review – Features

• Durable Metal Shaft
• Lightweight
• Extends to 37” / 94 cm
• Closes to 9” / 22.9 cm
• Fits all compact cameras
• Fits easily in pocket
• New support for heavier cameras
• New variable length positioning

XShot 2.0 review – Specifications

• XShot Weight: 5 oz (142g)
• Extends to: 37″ / 94 cm
• Closes to: 9″ / 22.9 cm
• Max Camera Weight: 1.25 lb (570 g)
• P / N: XS2379

XShot 2.0 review – testing it out

After removing the XShot 2.0 from the packaging, I started playing around with it and testing it out. Instructions are included on the cardboard insert inside of the package, but in reality, it’s instinctively easy to use and doesn’t really require an explanation.

I’ve used the XShot 2.0 to take both photos and videos, using both my Canon SD960 IS camera/camcorder and my Flip Mino HD compact camcorder. Each time I’ve used the XShot 2.0, it has performed wonderfully and allowed me to produce stunning content.

Below is a photo that I took using the XShot 2.0, during our recent trip to St Thomas.

This is definitely one of my favorite photos from the entire vacation. The funny thing is that we actually had someone else snap a few photos of us from across the table before we took this one. When we looked at the photos later, it was no contest, the photo taken with the XShot was by far superior to the photos taken from across the table.

Below is a video demonstration of me using the XShot 2.0 on Sapphire Beach on St Thomas Island, in the US Virgin islands. It was a bit windy the day that I recorded this video, so please excuse the audio noise caused by the wind.

As you can see from the video, the XShot 2.0 can help you capture some excellent videos of yourself, including 360 degree spins to help your viewers get a fully immersive view of your location and surroundings. If you record videos of yourself, then the XShot 2.0 can be an invaluable tool to utilize.

XShot 2.0 review – Positives

Easy to use
Light weight
Take your own photos & video without asking others for help
Extends your reach
Capture unique angles and perspectives
Gets rid of the annoying extended arm seen in many self photos
Compacts down to 9″ to easily fit in a pocket or bag
Rubber non-slip grip & lanyard helps to prevent drops
Easily record video while you turn 360 degrees
Keeps a camera up high to record video or take photos above water

XShot 2.0 review – Negatives

A bit large for a pants pocket

XShot 2.0 review – Summary and conclusion

In my experience using the XShot 2.0, there are virtually zero negatives to be found with the product. The only VERY minor complaint is that it doesn’t quite fit comfortably in a pants pocket, which could result in it being left behind on some occasions. It looks like XShot is already aware of this though, as they’ve now released a new, even more compact version named the pocket XShot, which should comfortably fit in a pocket.

You might also get some strange looks from others while using the XShot, but that can be a good thing! Using the XShot has sparked conversations with strangers and passerby’s, who want to know more about why I have a stick attached to my camera.

The bottom-line is that the XShot 2.0 makes a fantastic addition to any photographer’s toolkit, from the seasoned professional photographer down to the every day, point-and-shoot casual photo snapper. I highly recommend the XShot 2.0, it’s a wonderful accessory that will undoubtedly allow you to capture better photos and better video.

You can pick up the XShot 2.0 on the XShot website.

Just in time for Father’s Day, Amazon.com is offering the 11-disc James Bond collection on Blu-ray Disc for the extremely low price of $99 (down from $269.99).



Follow this link and use the code AMZNBOND at checkout to receive the special price.

Let’s face it, updating firmware is a pain. With Blu-ray Disc players, firmware updates have become even more oppressive. It is not uncommon for a manufacturer to release a firmware update before their players even hit store shelves. With practically every Fox Home Entertainment release, like Avatar for example, many players have to be updated just for the one movie.

Fortunately, the Blu-ray Disc Association has teamed up with the manufacturers to provide a resource to find the latest updates for your player. Visit http://www.blu-raydisc.com//en/technical/updates/en.html and find your player to see if you could use an update, and for instructions on how to do this.

Not every manufacturer is listed yet, so hopefully this will grow. Better yet, let’s hope we can get rid of painful firmware updates altogether.

Even with the limited space within a rental machine, Redbox is making room for Blu-ray Discs to appear within the next few months.

Along with a new agreement from Universal Studios and 20th Century Fox, to include new movies 28 days after street date, is a partnership to provide Blu-ray Disc versions of popular movies. Rentals will incur a $1.50 rate per day.

Redbox rental kiosks account for 23% of the rental market, with 40 million DVDs renter per month. Owners of Blu-ray players hold 16.9% of Redbox customers.

Source: Home Media Magazine

While Linux doesn’t have a terribly large percentage of the operating system market, with just over 1 percent, it simply doesn’t make any sense that Netflix doesn’t support the open platform. Jumping to the answer right up front: it’s Microsoft’s fault.

Netflix Watch Instantly uses the Microsoft Silverlight platform with Microsoft PlayReady DRM. This is fine for the majority of users who use Microsoft Windows, and Macintosh OS X. However, Microsoft Silverlight does not run on Linux platforms.

The full story is a bit more complicated than that, however.

There is a Linux project for Silverlight called Moonlight, which is developed by Novell. Microsoft even helps with the Moonlight development. So why doesn’t this work with Netflix? Well, Netflix uses the newest implementation of Silverlight, and Moonlight is a full version behind. Additionally, the query from Netflix checks the operating system for support and will not respond to a Linux query.

So why doesn’t Microsoft add support for Linux in Silverlight? That is a good question. They are working with Intel to provide a Silverlight platform for the Atom processor which is ported for Linux, but they are not looking to support the broader Linux community. That’s what Moonlight is for, they claim. Microsoft’s Brian Goldfarb, director of the Developer Platform Group, said,

I’m really clear about our commitment to Moonlight. I see the work we’re doing with Miguel and Moonlight as core to our strategy for delivering implementations for Linux.

It really appears Microsoft is deliberately preventing Linux users from achieving full support for Silverlight in the latest version. They do this while simultaneously claiming they want to bring Silverlight to “as many platforms and as many devices as possible.”

The fact remains that if Microsoft can port Silverlight to Linux for Intel Atom netbooks, they just as easily could port it to the broader Linux base.

The conclusion to the matter is that Netflix’s decision to use the Microsoft Silverlight platform has alienated their Linux user base, and it appears Microsoft is deliberately preventing these users from full Silverlight support.

There is a way to watch Netflix Watch Instantly in Linux, but it is through a virtual machine window running Windows XP (although the virtual machine makes the video choppy). Of course since you’re running Windows XP anyway, what’s the point?

Sign the petition to bring Linux support of Netflix.

It seems like every consumer electronics manufacturer is adding more and more Internet-dependent features to every device. Practically every Blu-ray Disc player, HDTV, and smartphone streams internet radio, internet video, and features social networking apps. Navigating between all of the apps can be a challenge. Enter, Google TV.

Google TV is an Android operating system for the television powered by a modified Atom processor from Intel. Sony and Logitech have also joined in the endeavor, announcing a Google TV HDTV set and a Google TV set top box, respectively.

There are no specs provided for any of the hardware yet. Sony’s offering is called Sony Internet TV, and presumably will include a new line of LCD televisions apart from the current BRAVIA series. Also announced was a line of Blu-ray Disc players integrated into Google TV set top boxes.

Logitech does not have any model information available, but they are tentatively calling the variety of options eventually provided the “Google TV companion box.” This will be a stand alone set top box for use with any television, with Logitech Harmony compatibility built in. There is a hint that the companion box will require HDMI, so some TVs may not benefit. There is also a statement in the Logitech FAQs that cable and satellite boxes need an “HDMI output as well,” meaning these receivers may pass through the Google TV box. This makes sense considering the Google TV is supposed to search for television programs.

Google TV provides access to websites, and the Sony HDTV and Logitech companion box will support qwerty keyboards. But their main feature is using Google’s powerful indexing abilities to quickly find television programs, online videos, online audio streams, and even access recorded content on compatible cable and satellite DVRs. Internet video from Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand and Youtube will all be supported, with many more to follow. Google is working with multiple cable and satellite providers, but Dish Network will be compatible at launch in the fall of this year.

Because this is an Android produce, apps will be supported, though the extent of which hasn’t been detailed yet. Logitech claims they will have “video calling and a variety of controllers – even a Logitech smart-phone app.” The press release does mention Google TV will support Adobe Flash content.

Below you will find an introductory video from Google, and the press release.

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SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (May 20, 2010) — Today at the Google I/O developer conference in San Francisco, leading industry players announced the development of Google TV—an open platform that adds the power of the web to the television viewing experience, ushering in a new category of devices for the living room. Intel, Sony, and Logitech, together with Best Buy, DISH Network and Adobe, joined Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) on stage to announce their support for Google TV.

Over the past decade, the Internet has created unprecedented opportunity for innovation and development across the world, but so far the web has largely been absent from living rooms. With Google TV, consumers will now be able to search and watch an expanded universe of content available from a variety of sources including TV providers, the web, their personal content libraries, and mobile applications.

Search across TV, Web, and Apps

Google TV is based on the Android platform and runs the Google Chrome web browser. Users can access all of their usual TV channels as well as a world of Internet and cloud-based information and applications, including rich Adobe® Flash based content – all from the comfort of their own living room and with the same simplicity as browsing the web. When coupled with the Intel® Atom™ processor CE4100, Intel’s latest system-on-a-chip designed specifically for consumer electronics, the new platform will offer home theatre quality A/V performance. Sony and Logitech said they would be delivering products based on the new Intel Atom processor and running Google TV later this year. While Google TV is designed to work with any TV operator, at launch the user experience will be fully optimized when paired with DISH Network.

Google TV expands video choice from the hundreds of channels available today through a pay TV provider to the vast storehouse of video content available through the web and streaming videos. The Google TV experience is complemented by the ability to watch streaming video from leading content platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, and YouTube. Google TV will also have the capability to run apps from the Android Market.

To navigate the array of content that will now be available through a single device and on a single screen, Google TV introduces an integrated search experience to help viewers easily find relevant content across over-the-air and pay-TV channel listings, DVR, and the Internet, as well as a picture-in-picture layout to access multiple windows simultaneously. Google TV also features an innovative home screen to help viewers quickly organize their favorite content and personalize their TV viewing experience. Some of these features are only available with advanced integration from DISH Network.

Broad Alliance of Industry Leaders

Eric Schmidt, Google Chairman and CEO said, “We are very proud to be working with this distinguished set of partners, all of whom have decades of experience in hardware, design and retail.”

Sony announced plans to introduce “Sony Internet TV,” the World’s first TV lineup incorporating the Google TV platform. The first models are planned to be introduced in the U.S. market in the Fall of 2010 with the lineup featuring both a standalone TV model and set top box-type unit incorporating a Blu-ray Disc drive.

Howard Stringer, Chairman, President and CEO, Sony Corporation said, “I am delighted to announce the unique alignment of Google’s rapidly growing, open source Android platform with Sony’s unparalleled expertise in the field of TV design and technology. The addition of ‘Sony Internet TV’ will further bolster Sony’s comprehensive TV lineup and will fuse new levels of enjoyment and interactivity into the TV experience.”

Logitech will introduce a companion box that brings Google TV to existing HDTV home entertainment systems, easily integrating with any brand of HDTV and set-top box. The companion box will incorporate Logitech’s Harmony® remote control technology, and will include a controller that combines keyboard and remote control capabilities. The company also has plans to introduce an HDTV camera and video chat for Google TV, along with additional choices for navigation and control, including apps to turn a smart phone into an advanced controller for Google TV and home-entertainment systems.

Gerald Quindlen, President and CEO, Logitech said, “We committed to Google TV early on because it aligns with our strategy to support open platforms that enable new immersive experiences in the digital living room. While Google TV enables seamless discovery of all your content, Logitech enables seamless control over how you experience that content. We look forward to continued collaboration with Google and the developer community to create new Google TV experiences that have yet to be imagined.”

The Intel Atom CE4100 processor will power both the Logitech and Sony devices. Paul Otellini, Intel President and CEO praised the collaborative effort and said TV as we know it was being “reinvented.” “Today marks the next step in the evolution of TV. TV’s are becoming smarter as a result of the microprocessor and the Internet. Traditional TV programming will be merged seamlessly with the infinite amount of content on the Internet to enable every viewer to determine what they want to watch, when they want it. This is Moore’s Law transforming television, powered by the performance of Intel microprocessors.”

DISH Network has been a key partner with Google on advanced integration development for Google TV. The two partners began a joint trial over a year ago with more than 400 DISH Network and Google beta users. Based on the continuous feedback from the trial, Google and DISH Network have built the optimized Google TV experience that seamlessly integrates traditional TV, DVR and web content.

Charlie Ergen, Chairman, President and CEO of DISH Network, said, “Google TV marks the next evolution in television, and we are excited to be the first to partner with Google to bring this experience to our customers. Only DISH Network Google TV customers will be able to enjoy a unified search across TV, DVR and web; easily find related content; and manage their entire TV viewing experience. Additionally, the advanced integration will allow developers to create new and exciting applications to enrich the TV viewing experience.”

Best Buy will bring their retail experience and consumer expertise to the project, with Google TV devices being sold at Best Buy locations nationwide later this year. “Every day, our 180,000 Blue Shirt store employees and Geek Squad Agents work with our customers to get them the best home theater experience possible”, said Brian Dunn, CEO Best Buy, “We are thrilled about the new and exciting experiences smart TVs, like Google TV, provide to our customers – and we are looking forward to showcasing those experiences in our store and ensuring customers get connected to all the products and services that bring those experiences to life.”

Finally, Adobe Flash Player 10.1 will be integrated directly into the Google Chrome browser on Google TV, enabling viewers to experience tens of millions of web pages with rich Flash content including games, animations, applications, videos, audio and more. Shantanu Narayen, President and CEO, Adobe said, “An open web ecosystem offers endless opportunities for creativity and innovation. Flash Player 10.1 extends the advantages of full web browsing and consistent, rich experiences to smartphones, tablets, netbooks and Internet-connected TVs. We’re thrilled to be part of the Google TV initiative with other industry leaders who share a common vision of enabling access to the best web experiences possible.”

Opportunity for Developers

The demonstration at I/O highlighted the unique opportunity developers have to help shape the future of Google TV. Today Google announced that they would soon release a set of TV specific APIs for web applications, encouraging web developers to begin building unique web applications for use on television sets. Later this year Google will also release an updated Android SDK, which will support applications built for Google TV.

Google also plans to open source the Google TV platform to help spur innovation in the industry and so that other developers can benefit from the project. The long term goal is to collaborate with the entire developer community to help drive entertainment in the living room forward and to introduce the next generation of TV-watching experience.

For more information about the project visit google.com/tv.

About Google

Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.

About Intel

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The company designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world’s computing devices. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom and blogs.intel.com.

About Logitech

Logitech is a world leader in products that connect people to the digital experiences they care about. Spanning multiple computing, communication and entertainment platforms, Logitech’s combined hardware and software enable or enhance digital navigation, music and video entertainment, gaming, social networking, audio and video communication over the Internet, video security and home-entertainment control. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).

About Sony

Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $78 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. Sony Global Web Site: http://www.sony.net/