The new LG LU7000 LCD TV was launched at IFA back in September 2009 and we’ve had the 22” version on long term test for 6 weeks now, so how’s it performed? Read on and find out……

First Impressions

The LU7000 is finished in a very classy looking piano black, has a DVD player tucked away in its sloping stand and looks a million dollars. A thin transparent section below the frame finishes the TV off nicely.

The TV can be mounted on a standard bracket or you can use the inbuilt stand. A small base plate is slipped on to the slopping DVD to make the bottom flat when using the stand. This keeps the TV looking neat when it is hung from a wall.

The viewing angle from left and right is good however, as usual; it’s not so good from below. The LU7000 isn’t full 1080P HD and isn’t 720P either it’s the rather unusual, for TV at least, 1360×768. It does produce some damn good pictures though.

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OK, I’ll admit to being a sucker for the whole “Guitar Hero” genre so this appeals to me probably more than it should.

The YouRock controller from Inspired Instruments looks to be the latest in a variety of “real instrument” controllers that can be used to rock out to a video game with more authenticity. Its a MIDI compatible electric guitar (yes, real frets and strings) which can act as a guitar controller for your favourite music game.

The console compatibility is handled via an optional converter so you buy the guitar + whatever interface you need for your console (Wii, PS3 and XBox supported).

$179 (USD) isn’t cheap for a game controller, but for a real musical instrument that can be used as a game controller it doesn’t seem too bad to me.

If all goes well Inspired Instruments should be demoing the YouRock at CES and shipping next year.

Logitech have recently released a couple of new high-end gaming controllers that should give them a following in the small-but-dedicated market for simulation games.

Starting with driving, the G27 racing wheel is a force-feedback steering wheel. Actually “steering wheel” doesn’t do it justice, since as well as featuring the obligatory flappy paddles it also comes with:

• A 6 speed gearstick control including a push-down-to-engage reverse gear
• A set of 3 pedals (yes, you get a clutch) in an offset pattern so you can practice your “heel and toe” race driving.

At an RRP of £329 you’ll have to be dedicated to your game though.

Flight simulation is the other genre which benefits from a decent controller. I’ve already talked about the cheap option but if you’re in the market for something a little more realistic the new Flight System G940 should fit the bill.

Comprising the full set of Joystick, twin throttle and rudder pedals this programmable force feedback controller should satisfy the most hardcore jet-jockey.  Logitech have even taken the needs of cockpit builders into account with this one by providing mounting points on the stick and throttle so they can be bolted into a suitable frame.

With an RRP of £259 it’s (slightly) cheaper then the wheel but again, you’ll need to be really into your game to justify the cost.

I’ve been waiting for the best part of a year to post this, but at last it’s official – Kiloo and Manomio have launched a Commodore 64 emulator for the iPhone!

Including 5 free games (Dragons Den, Le Mans, Jupiter Lander, Arctic Shipwreck and Jack Attack), the emulator faithfully reproduces the graphics and sound of the iconic home computer.

For more information go to c64iphone.com, or just head over to the app store to pick up your own copy for $4.99:

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=305504539&mt=8

Officially launching in the UK this weekend just gone, Wii Sports resort is the latest must-have addition to the popular Nintendo console. The buzz is not around the extra games – what’s got people more interested is the “Motion Plus” controller – an addition to the existing wiimote which increases tracking accuracy allowing for more natural control.

The high street seems to have plenty of stock, or you can pick it up from Amazon for a shade under £40.

I picked mine up today, look out for a writeup soon!

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I’ve been thinking about the gaming news announced at E3 this year, with both Microsoft and Sony getting into the motion control arena. There’s no doubt that all the technology on display is impressive but here’s the thing - they’ll never sell any, or not in the current market anyway.

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Not to be outdone by Microsoft’s Project Natal, Sony were also demoing motion control at E3 this year. The Sony offering doesn’t have a name yet but to me “wand” seems like the most appropriate description.

Sony have taken a different tack to MS – rather than have the camera interpret a whole body movement, Sony’s technology uses a physical controller (the aforementioned wand) and a camera to track it. The wand has motion sensors and buttons on it – so far, so Nintendo although it’s tracked with far more accuracy than the Wii manages.

The “gasp” moment in the demo (really, listen out for it) came when they showed the wand magically transforming into a variety of bats and weapons in the players hand.

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The annual games development conference E3 is over for another year and it looks like “motion control” is going to be the next battleground in the console arena. Microsoft and Sony have both announced new control peripherals that take the idea popularised by the Wii to the next level.

Microsoft’s offering is called Project Natal - an odd codename for what looks like a stunning piece of technology. It’s based around a camera that tracks the players motion but the real power is in the processing behind it that allows game characters to mimic the player’s movements in real time – think running, dodging and moving on screen objects around with your own motions.

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OCZ’s Z-drive range of PCI based solid state drives are on pre-order at overclockers.co.uk. The 1TB version will set you back a cool £2600 which makes it not that practical for most of us.

If you need the fastest storage you can buy though, the 500MB/Sec read speed will take some beating!

Naturalpoint’s TrackIR is probably the second most essential flight sim accessory after a good joystick. It’s essentially a camera sensitive to IR light, but it’s not used to take pictures. When you wear a baseball cap with special reflective spots the camera can work out where your head is (in relation to your monitor). Armed with this information the included software can “track” the motion of your head as you look around.

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