James Woodcock - Freelance Journalist

Fight Night Round 4 HD Video Review for Xbox 360

James Woodcock — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:13:09 +0000

The predecessor to Fight Night Round 4 had our jaws dropping in awe and our eyes watering with happiness at the remarkable visuals. It was one of those magical eureka moments when you realised that next generation gaming had finally arrived and that you were now a part of this momentous moment in history. Now [...]

Simon the Sorcerer Soundtrack Version 2.0 – Compressor Settings Changed / Higher Bitrate

James Woodcock — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:16:00 +0000

Today I have completed work on version 2.0 of my Simon the Sorcerer enhanced soundtrack for use with ScummVM. None of the actual tracks have changed (no new instruments, layers etc), however I have extensively changed the compressor settings which can make a dramatic difference to the overall sound. Each track has been [...]

I Play the Simon the Sorcerer Theme Live on Yamaha Tyros3

James Woodcock — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:01:15 +0000

In 2007, I received permission from Simon Woodroffe allowing me to enhance the music to be used on the fabulous ScummVM program. I fancied playing a ‘live’ version for you though, so here I am in High Definition playing the main theme from Simon the Sorcerer using the Yamaha flagship keyboard, the Tyros 3. I [...]

Virtua Tennis 2009 for Xbox 360 HD Video Review

James Woodcock — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:24:01 +0000

One of the most beloved consoles for any SEGA fan has to be the Dreamcast. On this dare I say ‘cute’ little platform, Virtua Tennis showed once and for all that the sport of smashing a small yellow ball around was a worthy contender for our attention and that in this virtual world, anything [...]

DXG DVH-596 1080p High Definition Camcorder Impressions – HD Video Samples Included

James Woodcock — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:35:07 +0000

For so many years now, I have been using good old MINI-DV tapes in a camcorder to capture holidays, events and random happenings. Although the quality was always excellent, the import process drives me insane. Whatever you record, you have to wait for the tape to play it all back in real-time before [...]

I Record High Definition Gameplay Clips on YouTube HD from Xbox 360 and PlayStation3

James Woodcock — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:12:36 +0000

Lately I have been quite busy recording, editing and posting both HD video features such as reviews and top 10 lists as well as publishing gameplay clips from the latest gaming offerings. YouTube has certainly advanced since Google took over offering new tools and features adding to the whole experience, but HD support convinced [...]

I Create A Promotional Video for Roger’s Music Store in Nottingham

James Woodcock — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:21:53 +0000

I have known Roger Hagarty for must be getting close to four years now, so when he asked me to create a promotional video for his Nottingham based music store Roger’s Music, I was more than happy. Ever since I was introduced to him, Roger has been immensely helpful and indeed friendly when I [...]

OutRun Online Arcade Video – My First High Definition Video Review

James Woodcock — Sat, 02 May 2009 16:53:07 +0000

Recently I purchased the Hauppauge HD PVR, so I could create far richer and more importantly ‘high definition’ video reviews. This is my first HD attempt and it is for OutRun Online Arcade on the Xbox 360. So far I am very impressed with this HD capture device. Capable of 1080i recording from anything [...]

OutRun Online Arcade Review for Xbox 360 – SEGA Show Arcade Shouldn’t Be Left Behind

James Woodcock — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:04:34 +0000

I review OutRun 2 SP, otherwise known as OutRun Online Arcade for the Xbox 360: Years ago on the original Xbox, I reviewed OutRun 2. Although I was far from feeling the nostalgic glow that the SEGA games from the past usually create in my heart, I did enjoy the experience. At the time, the game [...]

The Inspiration Behind ‘Yamaha Personal Keyboard Owner’ Video – I Explain My Enthusiasm for Yamaha Keyboards

James Woodcock — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:02:14 +0000

I am the owner and Editor of ‘Yamaha Personal Keyboard Owner‘ and today I decided to record myself through the webcam and built in microphone on my computer, creating a little live video with no fancy editing, just explaining why I began this independent Yamaha keyboard and digital piano website. I hope you enjoy this short [...]

Buzz: Brain of the UK Review for PlayStation3 – Great, Why Not Downloadable?

James Woodcock — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:53:39 +0000

Here is my latest review and this time for Buzz: Brain of the UK for the Sony PlayStation3: I have been playing quiz games on various platforms for years now probably starting with a PC game called ‘You Don’t Know Jack’. Although all seem to either capture a particular well known real life game show [...]

Broken Sword Shadow of the Templars – The Director’s Cut Impressions

James Woodcock — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:35:38 +0000

Even though the era of the Point and Click Adventure is shining only as bright as a flickering candle light at the moment, it doesn’t stop my interest in the genre. In fact, I often use programs like ScummVM to rekindle my love for this classic gaming heritage. One of my favourite titles [...]

My Sonic and the Black Knight Video Review on the Nintendo Wii

James Woodcock — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:37:18 +0000

I have today created my second video review, this time for Sonic and the Black Knight on the Nintendo Wii. You can of course look at the text version of the review as well.

My First Video Review – SEGA Mega Drive Ultimate Collection Review for PlayStation3

James Woodcock — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 19:23:03 +0000

Well here is my first ever video review and it covers the SEGA Mega Drive Ultimate Collection on the Sony PlayStation3. It has taken a couple of days to write, capture, edit, convert and then finally upload to YouTube. It is a little experiment really to see how difficult the process is and indeed how [...]

My Yamaha Club & Yamaha Personal Keyboard Owner (YPKO) Online Magazine Article

James Woodcock — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:02:02 +0000

My Yamaha Keyboard and Digital Piano enthusiast website celebrated its 4th Anniversary just before the New Year and in that time, boasts over 8500 members, 157,000 community posts and 14,000,000 hits. I have a lot to celebrate as my website increases in popularity, while also enjoying co-operation with the Yamaha Club and indeed Yamaha [...]

Sony PlayStation Home – Social Mingling with Exploration However Why?

James Woodcock — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:39:40 +0000

Sony is always very loud when it comes to announcing a new feature, almost arrogant. For what seems like an eternity, ‘Home’ has been touted as the less than quiet trump card of the PlayStation3. The serenaded hero that would dazzle, amaze and create a virtual environment where new friends could be found, [...]

Hewlett Packard 6830s Laptop with Blu-ray – Laptops Direct – Research is King

James Woodcock — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 07:37:55 +0000

Recently I received a new laptop for around the Â£450 mark as it was Grade ‘A’ stock (roughly Â£550 brand spanking new unopened) and what you get is quite staggering to say the least! I already have a 2 year old Dell laptop that has served me well and will still be used for [...]

ScummVM Announces My Discworld Music Enhancement Project Integration Completion – Video Preview Included!

James Woodcock — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:36:04 +0000

On the ScummVM website, they have just announced that years of persistence have paid off and their application for classic Point and Click Adventure games now supports Discworld with my enhanced music in their early developers build of the software: The developers of ScummVM are pleased to announce that as of today, the classic game Discworld [...]

Sonic Unleashed Xbox 360 Impressions – Should Have Stayed Tied Up!

James Woodcock — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:00:06 +0000

As a Journalist, you are meant to be impartial, sporting a detachment that allows you to be fair in your critique, however I am always a little tougher on SEGA as I owned and loved so many of their consoles in the past. Sonic is part of this momentous iconic history, however something isn’t [...]

My Need for Speed Undercover Review for Xbox 360 – Far From A Smooth Experience

James Woodcock — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 11:58:32 +0000

It is amazing that still developers and major publishers believe they can get away with releasing games that feel totally unloved and unfortunately this game falls into this category: It is time to look back right to the launch of the Xbox 360 console when one of the first titles released for the new next generation [...]

Merry Christmas Everyone – Export your Xbox 360 Avatar Information

James Woodcock — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:34:38 +0000

Yes it is teasingly close to Christmas and what better way to share the seasonal spirit than with an Xbox 360 avatar export facility! Alright, there are other things in life with higher priorities, however you can have fun exporting your avatar on the new Xbox 360 – Free your avatar website. Here you can [...]

Yamaha Club Magazine Mention – Yamaha Tyros3 DVD I Produced Receives Great Reviews

James Woodcock — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:17:20 +0000

When I was asked to produce a Yamaha Tyros3 promotional DVD, I was excited and a little daunted by the prospect for a few reasons. This was my first venture into promoting anything through the use of video, it was to be my first widescreen DVD (previous ones were in 4:3 format) and I [...]

SEGA Announce ‘SEGA Mega Drive Ultimate Collection’ – An Excellent Blast from the Past

James Woodcock — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:03:09 +0000

My all time favourite console has to be the SEGA Mega Drive. There were just so many titles that captured my imagination and unfortunately for them, emptied my parents wallet, that it was hard not to fall in love with this plastic shell that housed the power and scope allowing 2D gaming to really [...]

My Golden Axe: Beast Rider Review for the Sony PlayStation 3

James Woodcock — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:27:27 +0000

To say I adored the original Golden Axe at the arcade would be an understatement, but this latest return doesn’t inspire anyone: If it wasnâ€™t for the arcade game Golden Axe, I doubt I would be as interested in gaming as I am today. Heck I might not have even become a journalist! The original Golden [...]

My FIFA 09 Review for Xbox 360 – EA Sports Have Scored!

James Woodcock — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:56:51 +0000

FIFA 09 has certainly caused a few positive stirs among its loyal fans and the opposition and in my review I try and explain how: It is time to welcome a new champion to the field. For years, FIFA has been mocked as the pretty boy who lacks the depth and reality that the more graphically [...]

Pure Interview with Jason Avent, Game Director from Black Rock Studio

James Woodcock — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:23:07 +0000

I Interview Jason Avent, Game Director from Black Rock Studio about their latest game release, Pure: PURE is an offroad trick-racing game where you go so fast it scares you, jump so high you get vertigo and then style it out by pulling loads of mad tricks on the way down. We chose quad bikes as [...]

My Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 Review for Xbox 360 – Improvements Overall, Yet Still Lacking

James Woodcock — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 09:16:20 +0000

Here is my Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 Review for the Microsoft Xbox 360 console: Yes it is time for yet another Tiger Woods game on the Xbox 360 and as usual we hope for more tantalising features, new courses, tweaked graphics and more importantly, a big step forward in the evolution of the series. We [...]

Model Railway Steam Trains and the Flying Scotsman – Video and Images Included

James Woodcock — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 11:18:08 +0000

I may be 27, but some hobbies should never disappear into the abyss. When I was just a small lad, of course like many children my age, ‘00′ Gauge model steam trains were a very satisfying fascination and were no doubt the ultimate gadget of the time. For me it was always the [...]

The House of the Dead: OVERKILL Announced by SEGA – Trailer Released – Developed in UK

James Woodcock — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:38:53 +0000

You may remember I reviewed The House of the Dead 2&3 for the Nintendo Wii not that long ago. There were a few complaints from other reviewers that it was just a simple port and nothing special. Well today I find news from SEGA that they are developing a brand spanking new title [...]