MadZ Software, leading supplier of low cost internet security and digital audio & video related software products, come out with the deliverance of version 2.5 of its DVD to iPod / PSP Video Converter software. DVD to iPod / PSP Video Converter breaks DVD video files and modify them into the fitting format for uploading to and viewing on an Apple iPod Video or a Sony PSP. Simply connect your player to your PC as is normally done by you, and at once the modified video files will be uploaded. The users, with DVD to iPod / PSP Video Converter 2.5, are allowed to modify nearly all DVDs for play on an iPod Video or Sony PSP, comprising bought DVDs, DVD copies, original DVDs, even downloaded DVDs. The input video could get in either NTSC or Pal format. The users, for multilanguage DVDs, are even allowed to opt which soundtrack language to modify. The users are also embedded with total control over which titles and chapters are modified. Besides, the users have full access to run the output format as setting a custom sample rate for audio and custom resolution and bit rate (quality vrs. size) for video.
Technology
TagEZmax, a DRM-loaded playback only DAP for Japanese market
Two companies, C4T and DRMS, are set to release the EZmax, a DRM-loaded playback only DAP that seemingly is based on the ‘digital disc’ (DD), in the Japanese market. The player was already launched in the Korean market by Liztech earlier. Featuring a proprietary file format, headphone jack, a five-band equalizer and the ‘acuagraphy’ watermarking technique, the impending DAP will come pre-loaded with tunes ranging between 32MB to 2GB capacities and will be purchased straight from the record labels. The EZmax runs on a single AAA battery. Though, there is no exact information of pricing, the DAP probably will hit the Japanese market early in the year 2007. And hopefully will also bring some sort of stability and fidelity in the illegitimate music market of Japan.
Speck to challenge Apple Hi-Fi with SpeckTone Retro, hot iPod Hi-Fi with a change
You hardly find a company or brand name posing any kind of threat to the potent Apple in the player or Hi-Fi market. Posing a question for the standing and significance of the Apple Hi-Fi, Speck Products has come up with its SpeckTone Retro, a new iPod Hi-Fi but with a change. Featuring a 28 Watt Output, a 4″ underneath Subwoofer and a High Gloss Piano Finish, the SpeckTone Retro comes in a wooden case to that you may choose between the lime green, black, blue or white finish. The latest iPod Hi-Fi also comes with a 90-day warranty and it is compatible with 4th abd 5th gen iPod, iPod photo, iPod mini, and iPod nano as well. Real threat for the Apple is the cost ($99) of SpeckTone that may run the mighty Apple to run for its money.
Review: Brando USB MP3 Player + SD/MMC Card Reader
Are you still thinking about buying a MP3 player like Apple iPod Shuffle or Microsoft Zune? Then have a look at this amazing piece of electronics. This not only will save a few dollars for you but will also function as a USB Pen Drive. The only trait that I found with the device was that it does not have a sporty LCD screen to enjoy some videos. But considering the $15 price tag, I think that its value for money. Features: The Brando MP3 Player does not have a LCD screen and doesn’t even has a good looking and stylish aluminum finish, but it can accept SD or MMC cards and can directly plug into the USB port of your computer for easy data transfer. Measurements: The device measures just 3.25 x 1.25 x 1.00 inches and weighs a little more than an ounce. The one inch thickness of the device is due to the fact that the device has a AAA battery slot that is needed to power it. Package: The package includes the device itself and a pair of not so trendy and rather cheaply made set of headphones. All other accessories that is the battery and the SD card have to be purchased by the buyer. I think there will be a couple of SD cards eating dust in your store. So you can also buy this device so that you can use your old purchases. Technical Specifications: 1) Power: One AAA Sized Battery that offers you 10-hours of non stop music. 2) Playing Format: MP3 3) Interface: USB 2.0 Port 4) Output: 16 mW on each side of the headphone 5) Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20KHz 6) Signal to Noise Ratio: 88dB 7) Distortion: 0.02% 
Memory Card: SD or MMC 9) Systems Supported: Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP/Mac OS 8.6 and above Setup: The device offers you a very basic setup. You can slide the rear end cap to get to the SD/MMC card and also the AAA sized battery. The front end cap slides to reveal the USB port for easy connectivity with the system. The device is Plug and Play compatible that means that there is no need to install a separate software in the computer to connect the device. You just have to connect the device to the USB port of the computer and the system will automatically recognize the device as a external storage device. Then you can drag and drop your favorite tracks in the device. At the bottom of the case you will find a 3.5mm headphone jack where you can insert the provided headphones or if you want to spend a bit more then you can buy any good quality headphone for the device. Controls: The device has a single multipurpose switch attached at the top end side of the player. That can be moved forward and reverse to change the tracks in both the directions. Pressing and holding the switch for more than 3 seconds will power on and off the device. A long press in either direction will change the volume. The device can play tracks only in continuous motion that means there is no button in the device that can make it play tracks in random order. However you can connect the device to the computer and copy songs according to your mood. Price: The Brando USB MP3 Player + SD/MMC Card Reader and the Headphones are priced at $15. You also have two colors to choose from, which are Translucent Black and Translucent Blue. Positives: 1) The price tag of $15 makes the device value for money 2) The device is multipurpose as it can be used as a MP3 Player and also as a thumb drive 3) Easy to operate 4) Good design. Portable Negatives: 1) Headphones provided not to good 2) No support for MiniSD and MicroSD cards Bottom Line: All in all for its price it is a good deal…!
Teclast intros All-In-One C260 in China
All in one gadgets are in fashion now as you will never want to fill your carry bags with a hell lot of gadgets with no room for some much needed stuff…! Considering the trend Teclast has released the new DAP/PMP/Game Player handheld device, the C260. The features of this handheld device are: 1) 3.15 x 1.85 x 0.39 inch enclosure 2) 2.4-inch QVGA Screen 3) Landscape Layout 4) FM radio tuner 5) Audio Input for recording 6) Headphone jack 7) USB 2.0 connectivity Eight Equalizer functions The device can play MP3/WAV audio files, XviD/DivX/AVI video files and can also display JPEG images in a slideshow. Additional functions include gaming functionality in case you have some space left on your MicroSD card. The 1GB version of the device will be soon hitting the Chinese market and will be priced at 399 CNY or about $51.
Not satisfied with the Analog Outputs of your iPod? Well, Dock it with iLink
Apple iPod is a wonderful product that has been hampered by the audiophiles just for one reason that the player sends an analog output. Actually what you transfer in the iPod is pure digital content that is converted in the device to analog output. The iPod may be of any generation but the audio quality that comes out from the device is far from a good CD being played on any high-end system. A company called MSB has come with a one of its kind docking station for the iPod called the iLink. The iLink modifies your iPod so that the output is digital and of the same CD quality. All you have to do is to send your 5.5G iPod to the company and they will modify it for you. For the modification you will have to pay $199 to the company. If you are still planning to buy an iPod and want a digital one then you can order it for $1999 with a 5.5G iPod and the iLink docking station. The docking station has a RF receiver and transmitter so you can move around with your iPod without changing the sound quality. Moreover the iLink also charges the iPod’s batteries.
Believe it or not! iriver Plus 3 Music Store offers unlimited music download for just 4500 won (US $4.85) per month
Pirated music or video is one of the major reasons for the trouncing of music companies and is giving a serious blow to the entertainment industry. To battle the piracy most of the companies either are opening their personal stores or subletting wrights to different dealers to distribute their music and videos in different parts of the world. Following the similar pattern iriver has come up with JukeOn, an online music store that is linked with iriver Plus 3 and seems to be derived from a subscription layout, but right now only for the Korean market. Believe it or not, it will enable you to download as much music as you desire for just 4500 won per month (about US $4.85). If you don’t want to pursue the subscription anymore, just stop paying your monthly charges and the download automatically will discontinue the functioning. Currently the pattern is for the Korean market only but you may hope iriver to cross the seas and spread all over the World.
Spectra flaunts Hello Kitty iPod clock radio
With the increasing technology and competition in the PMP market, docking and charging systems for different portable music players are turning out be utility gadgets. Spectra has popped up with its KT4560, the foremost iPod docking system to plunk Sanrio’s Hello Kitty label that also can be used for dock-connecting units and channels video / pictures from video iPods onto your TV. The KT4560 also features: 1) AM/FM radio 2) an auxillary jack 3) a cute sleeping Kitty on top 4) play music from all of Apple’s dockable iPod models 5) two-watt stereo 6) alarm tunes from your iPod 7) LCD-faced clock Outwardly the Hello Kitty appears a bit obsessed with the female constituents and certainly will attract some unexpected female gizmo freaks to the stores. No exact words on pricing and availability.
Resource Hack Zune Software to Unveil Some Hidden Features!
Are you a Zune owner and waiting for Microsoft to launch another update for synchronized lyrics, podcast subscription, aspect ratio, plugins, syncing lyrics to the Zune, and mini-mode playback options. Well now, you don’t really have to wait for it at all, as you can edit some of the hidden software’s of your player by Resource Hacking. It is a simple procedure all you need to do is follow these instructions 1. Download resource Hacker. 2. Start up Resource hacker and open Zune.exe and then open zuneloc.dll 3. Now you’ll see a bunch of numbers so for lyrics synchronization select 21405 Similarly, you can edit other features.
Dacos ‘iHolic’: MP3 Player with DMB Support
Dacos Technology has unveiled there new MP3 player that can also function as a DMB receiver. Other features of iHolic are: – 2.4-inch TFT LCD display – T-DMB Receiver – Audio/Video Playback – Image Viewer – SD Card Slot – Voice Recorder – Built-in External Speaker – Remote Control With so much under the hood, the device measures just 83 x 50 x 18.5 mm and weighs 95 grams. The device is available in three versions depending on the memory capacity. The three versions are 512MB, 1GB and 2GB.