Gamertell

Wait no more, for the the exclusive Gamertell Need for Speed Undercover media post has arrived. As a follow-up to my synopsis of the exclusive Need for Speed Undercover event  on August 14, 2008, you may now revel in exclusive photos and audio to satiate all humanly senses except for taste and smell.

Click through for all the goods!

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Check out the gallery: Need for Speed Undercover Event at Bubble Lounge with Maggie Q

There have been umpteen complaints from Wii gamers about the audio of Guitar Hero III and the game’s publisher, Activision, has been stimulated into action by these complaints. Activision is offering a refund to Wii gamers who have issues with the game’s promised audio - the Wii version only outputs mono sounds while the game’s box promises Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound. A class-action suit was also brought against Activision for reneging on its promise of Dolby Digital sound in December 2007.

The publisher might have backtracked on its promise of digital sound but it has kept its promise of…

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Although the company is best known for its audio chairs, Pyramat has also released the Laptop Sound Booster ($129.95), which is demonstrated at CES 2008 (January 7-10, 2008)

The USB device features a pair of lit 1.5 in. ARX USB stereo speakers that amplifies your laptop’s audio. The until weighs approximately 5 pounds and USB powered. The Laptop Sound Booster ships with a 2-foot USB cable, 3.5 mm audio cable and an iPod universal dock with four adapters.

It’s also been built with heat dissipating material on the bottom and an ergonomic wrist pad. It also includes a volume control knob d audio inputs, so you can connect it to other devices (looks as if it is a 3.5 mm port). When using it as an iPod setup, you use 4 C-size batteries to power the speakers for up to 50 hours. Since it is basically a laptop pad with protruding speakers and wristpad, it can only hold laptops that are 17 in. wide or less.

The USB audio will work with any PC (Mac and Windows) and the input port means you can use it with most other audio devices. At approx. 5 pounds, though, I’m not sure I’ll be lugging this around with my laptop or able to easily fit it in the same bag.

Site [Laptop Sound Booster ] Read [SlashGear]

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At CES this week (January 7-10, 2008), Pyramat is showing off its new gaming chairs. Each chair is well padded, made of washable materials and have speaker system embedded in the chair. The units on display include the PC Gaming Chair 2.1, S5000 Sound Rocker and the PM450-WR Sound Rocker.

Each of the chairs include audio inputs (and sometimes wireless inputs) so they can be connected to any external device including videogames, TVs, DVD players, stereo systems, MP3 players and handheld game systems.

The PC Gaming Chair 2.1 uses a wireless connection to your PC using a built-in receiver. The built-in system includes two powerful speakers, a Powersub subwoofer, MP3 input, and an armrest mounted mouse wheel with touch controls. The PC Gaming Chair 2.1 is currently available for $249.99.

The PM450-WR Sound Rocker utilizes so-called “Premium Digital Wireless Technology” for wireless audio and is also the first Sound Rocker t o be powered by a rechargeable battery. Pyramat promises the battery will work for up to five hours on one charge. The chair also includes a 2.4GHz digital 8-channel wireless transmitter and the 5.5-inch Powersub subwoofer.. The PM450-WR starts at $249.99.

Also on display is Pyramat’s S5000 Sound Rocker which offers increased lumbar support and an adjustable back rest. The least expensive of the three chairs at $169.99, the S5000 includes speakers and a Powersub subwoofer.

My favorite of the three has to be the PC Gaming Chair 2.1, mostly because it is the only chair with legs. Sure, sitting on the floor is pretty great when you are a kid, but the older gamer in my needs the lumbar support and somewhere to hang my legs so they don’t completely lose circulation. Besides, how cool would it be to have that in your office cube?

Read [SlashGear] Also Read [Techpin] Site [Pyramat]

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Using a game with a rather bland name, THX Ltd. is at CES 2008 showing off its 7.1 stereo goodness with the first title to include Neural-THX Surround.

The game, titled Prototype, is being developed by Radical Entertainment and is expected to be available Fall 2008 for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. It will feature a shapeshifter and open-ended free roam elements similar to Grand Theft Auto.

Neural-THX Surround is a 7.1 audio format developed with Neural Audio Corp. that will require gamers to add two more speakers to the back of their family rooms. The added speakerage is meant to create a truly 360-degree audio experience, although it does mean you’ll need too look for a new 7.1 audio receiver. According to the THX press release, ‘an estimated 70 percent of new audio-video receivers, from companies such as Sony, Pioneer, Yamaha, Onkyo, Integra, Denon, Marantz, Inkel and Sherwood. Neural-THX Surround AV receivers are being shipped in more than 25 countries worldwide.“

For those who forgot, THX was founded by George Lucas of Howard the Duck fame as a result of a need for better sound for his little Star Wars project.

Read [Destructoid] Site [THX] Site [Sierra] Site [Neural Audio] Site [Neural Sound]

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