The most recent articles from What PC?

The most recent articles from What PC?http://www.whatpc.co.uk/The most recent articles from What PC? (Generated on Thursday 8 January 2009 at 09:32:10)VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKCopyright © 1994-2009 VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKhttp://www.whatpc.co.uk/2009-01-08T09:32:10.778Z

The most recent articles from What PC?http://www.whatpc.co.uk/images/rss/wpc_logo.gifhttp://www.whatpc.co.uk/Samsung SM151Phttp://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132811/samsung-sm151pScott Colvey, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Thursday 29 August 2002 at 13:52:51Samsung and Porsche produce a stylish 15 inch LCD.<content page="1"><html><body>What do you get if you cross a manufacturer of hi-tech electronics goods with a designer of exotic sports cars? In this instance the answer is the SM151P, a stylish flat-panel display designed by Porsche and built by Samsung.In so far as any computer component can be described as attractive, the SM151P is a good-looker. It is slim, bereft of buttons (save for a power switch) and finished with a metallic sheen.The flat-panel itself hangs off a telescopic arm, so it can be raised or lowered to suit. Better still, the screen can be rotated through 90 degrees in either direction, allowing the user to work on documents in a portrait orientation. Software to work this magic is supplied.Usefully, the SM151P can receive its images via either a traditional analogue (VGA) connector or a digital visual interface (DVI). Opting for the latter, assuming that you have a graphics card with a DVI-out port, will ensure 100 per cent accurate reproduction of images, colours and lighting.Indeed, in DVI mode the SM151P's display is outstanding and even produces excellent results from an analogue input.Sadly, Porsche's image-savvy designers seem to have overlooked some issues of practicality. While we applaud the dual-input feature, it seems rather silly to have both cables hard-wired into the back of the stand. Since a user is only ever likely to employ one, the redundant cord is destined to dangle in the wind.If you were wondering how the SM151P's display attributes can be altered in the absence of any obvious controls, examine the cigar shaped depression at the bottom left of the bezel; it is a touch-sensitive area with illuminated control labels.The merest brush of a finger is enough to conjure up an on-screen menu which allows you to tweak the image in any number of ways.Price: £499 (inc VAT)Specifications: 15in TFT flat-panel display Maximum resolution: 1,024 x 768 pixels Dual input: analogue and digital (DVI) Pivoting screen Designed by Porsche Dimensions (W x H x D): 380 x 404 x 190mm Weight: 4.6kgContact: Samsung 0800 521 652 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.samsungelectronics.co.uk">www.samsungelectronics.co.uk</a></body></html></content>http://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132811/samsung-sm151pScott Colvey, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Thursday 29 August 2002 at 13:52:51Samsung and Porsche produce a stylish 15 inch LCD.<content page="1"><html><body>What do you get if you cross a manufacturer of hi-tech electronics goods with a designer of exotic sports cars? In this instance the answer is the SM151P, a stylish flat-panel display designed by Porsche and built by Samsung.In so far as any computer component can be described as attractive, the SM151P is a good-looker. It is slim, bereft of buttons (save for a power switch) and finished with a metallic sheen.The flat-panel itself hangs off a telescopic arm, so it can be raised or lowered to suit. Better still, the screen can be rotated through 90 degrees in either direction, allowing the user to work on documents in a portrait orientation. Software to work this magic is supplied.Usefully, the SM151P can receive its images via either a traditional analogue (VGA) connector or a digital visual interface (DVI). Opting for the latter, assuming that you have a graphics card with a DVI-out port, will ensure 100 per cent accurate reproduction of images, colours and lighting.Indeed, in DVI mode the SM151P's display is outstanding and even produces excellent results from an analogue input.Sadly, Porsche's image-savvy designers seem to have overlooked some issues of practicality. While we applaud the dual-input feature, it seems rather silly to have both cables hard-wired into the back of the stand. Since a user is only ever likely to employ one, the redundant cord is destined to dangle in the wind.If you were wondering how the SM151P's display attributes can be altered in the absence of any obvious controls, examine the cigar shaped depression at the bottom left of the bezel; it is a touch-sensitive area with illuminated control labels.The merest brush of a finger is enough to conjure up an on-screen menu which allows you to tweak the image in any number of ways.Price: £499 (inc VAT)Specifications: 15in TFT flat-panel display Maximum resolution: 1,024 x 768 pixels Dual input: analogue and digital (DVI) Pivoting screen Designed by Porsche Dimensions (W x H x D): 380 x 404 x 190mm Weight: 4.6kgContact: Samsung 0800 521 652 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.samsungelectronics.co.uk">www.samsungelectronics.co.uk</a></body></html></content>VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKCopyright © 1994-2009 VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKScott Colvey2002-08-29T13:52:51.000ZHardware Reviewsperipheral-devicesModular Technology DAB digital radio PCI cardhttp://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132809/modular-technology-dab-digital-radio-pci-cardNik Rawlinson, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Wednesday 21 August 2002 at 09:37:34A digital radio card that promises to bring affordable, CD-quality audio to the masses.<content page="1"><html><body>Sometime between 2010 and 2020 the last FM radio station will fall silent. The Government is keen to see us stop using the familiar analogue transmissions of the past 100 years and enter the new world of digital audio broadcasting (Dab).Why? Well, apart from the fact that it means the FM frequencies can be used for something else, it should also eliminate the crackle, hiss and interference that plague regular broadcasting.The trouble is, at around £500, digital radios are far too expensive, so for most of us a PC-based tuner such as the Psion Wavefinder has been our only option.You can pick up a Wavefinder for less than £50 now, but the software is rather basic, and the process it uses to separate one station from another means that a powerful local signal can knock out a weaker national broadcaster.The new Dab card, though, seems to have solved this problem. It is an internal PCI device, so is not as easy to install as the USB-based Wavefinder, but once you have fitted it into the case and installed the software, you need only find a suitable location for the magnetised aerial and tell the card that you live in the UK.This last point is important, as radio is no better than mobile phones when it comes to worldwide compatibility, and what may work in Canada may not work in Britain or Germany.America, as usual, has opted for an entirely different technology that uses the existing FM band so, if you plan on emigrating to the US in the near future, this card is not for you.Once up and running, you will spot a number of key features. First, each radio multiplex has a name - Digital One, BBC National DAB, and so on - and each has its own tab on the left-hand side of the screen.Clicking one displays the stations it broadcasts and, as you hover over each station, control buttons for play and record scroll out from the side.Currently, only the BBC provides an electronic programme guide. This is free (although rather slow) to download through the Dab aerial.Once on your system it lists around a week's worth of programmes for the World Service and Radios One to Five, with a small 'record' icon beside each one. Click the icon beside your chosen programme, and at the appointed time your PC will tune into the right station and save it to disk.The commercial stations, which do not have a guide, rely on you manually clicking 'record' and 'stop' at the beginning and end of the programme you want to save, but it is still far easier to operate than even a simple video.Not everyone is a fan of digital radio, though. The underlying technology is now 10 years old so, if you have a keen ear, you will probably prefer the more rounded sound of music on FM.In that respect, it is a bit like switching from vinyl records to Minidisc. Different stations also use different levels of compression so, while a music station may be broadcast at 128Kbits/s, about the same as a lightly compressed MP3 file, talk stations use only 96Kbits/s.The card is also very temperamental when fed a weak signal, so check that you have coverage in your area before you splash out on new kit. Entering your postcode at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ukdigitalradio.com">www.ukdigitalradio.com</a> will give you the answer you need.Far more versatile than a stand-alone tuner, digital radio is also cheaper than most but, if you do not want to open up your PC, look out for Videologic's £99 portable digital radio, due out around the same time as this review.Price: £99 (inc. VAT)Features:<ul><li>Internal tuner card</li><li>External receiver aerial</li><li>Easy-to-use software interface</li><li>Electronic programme guide</li><li>Hard drive digital recording</li><li>Radio web services</li></ul>Minimum requirements: Pentium MMX 200MHz (or equivalent); 32MB Ram (128MB for Windows XP); 33MB free hard drive space; spare PCI slot; sound card with headphones or powered speakers.Contact: Modular Technology 01869 321323 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.modulartech.com">www.modulartech.com</a></body></html></content>http://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132809/modular-technology-dab-digital-radio-pci-cardNik Rawlinson, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Wednesday 21 August 2002 at 09:37:34A digital radio card that promises to bring affordable, CD-quality audio to the masses.<content page="1"><html><body>Sometime between 2010 and 2020 the last FM radio station will fall silent. The Government is keen to see us stop using the familiar analogue transmissions of the past 100 years and enter the new world of digital audio broadcasting (Dab).Why? Well, apart from the fact that it means the FM frequencies can be used for something else, it should also eliminate the crackle, hiss and interference that plague regular broadcasting.The trouble is, at around £500, digital radios are far too expensive, so for most of us a PC-based tuner such as the Psion Wavefinder has been our only option.You can pick up a Wavefinder for less than £50 now, but the software is rather basic, and the process it uses to separate one station from another means that a powerful local signal can knock out a weaker national broadcaster.The new Dab card, though, seems to have solved this problem. It is an internal PCI device, so is not as easy to install as the USB-based Wavefinder, but once you have fitted it into the case and installed the software, you need only find a suitable location for the magnetised aerial and tell the card that you live in the UK.This last point is important, as radio is no better than mobile phones when it comes to worldwide compatibility, and what may work in Canada may not work in Britain or Germany.America, as usual, has opted for an entirely different technology that uses the existing FM band so, if you plan on emigrating to the US in the near future, this card is not for you.Once up and running, you will spot a number of key features. First, each radio multiplex has a name - Digital One, BBC National DAB, and so on - and each has its own tab on the left-hand side of the screen.Clicking one displays the stations it broadcasts and, as you hover over each station, control buttons for play and record scroll out from the side.Currently, only the BBC provides an electronic programme guide. This is free (although rather slow) to download through the Dab aerial.Once on your system it lists around a week's worth of programmes for the World Service and Radios One to Five, with a small 'record' icon beside each one. Click the icon beside your chosen programme, and at the appointed time your PC will tune into the right station and save it to disk.The commercial stations, which do not have a guide, rely on you manually clicking 'record' and 'stop' at the beginning and end of the programme you want to save, but it is still far easier to operate than even a simple video.Not everyone is a fan of digital radio, though. The underlying technology is now 10 years old so, if you have a keen ear, you will probably prefer the more rounded sound of music on FM.In that respect, it is a bit like switching from vinyl records to Minidisc. Different stations also use different levels of compression so, while a music station may be broadcast at 128Kbits/s, about the same as a lightly compressed MP3 file, talk stations use only 96Kbits/s.The card is also very temperamental when fed a weak signal, so check that you have coverage in your area before you splash out on new kit. Entering your postcode at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ukdigitalradio.com">www.ukdigitalradio.com</a> will give you the answer you need.Far more versatile than a stand-alone tuner, digital radio is also cheaper than most but, if you do not want to open up your PC, look out for Videologic's £99 portable digital radio, due out around the same time as this review.Price: £99 (inc. VAT)Features:<ul><li>Internal tuner card</li><li>External receiver aerial</li><li>Easy-to-use software interface</li><li>Electronic programme guide</li><li>Hard drive digital recording</li><li>Radio web services</li></ul>Minimum requirements: Pentium MMX 200MHz (or equivalent); 32MB Ram (128MB for Windows XP); 33MB free hard drive space; spare PCI slot; sound card with headphones or powered speakers.Contact: Modular Technology 01869 321323 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.modulartech.com">www.modulartech.com</a></body></html></content>VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKCopyright © 1994-2009 VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKNik Rawlinson2002-08-21T09:37:34.000ZHardware Reviewsperipheral-devicesIomega HDD 20GBhttp://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132808/iomega-hdd-20gbJulian Prokaza, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Thursday 15 August 2002 at 10:15:07An easy way to add extra storage space to either desktop or notebook PCs.<content page="1"><html><body>Hard disks have never been cheaper and, at the moment, a whopping 80GB model will set you back a mere £90. You do, of course, need the wherewithal to fit it inside your PC, and this means negotiating IDE channels, jumper settings, minuscule screws that ping into your computer innards with minimal effort and - well, you get the picture. If you cannot face or simply cannot be bothered with all this fuss, you should get yourself an external hard drive. By strange coincidence, that is what Iomega has just launched.At £189, the HDD 20GB is rather more expensive than an internal drive, but it is up and running in seconds. It is a slim little number finished in grey and black, much like Iomega's existing Peerless drive. Like the Peerless, the HDD comes in two parts, and the drive clips to a small module that provides the necessary sockets. At less than the size of a paperback book, the HDD takes up little desk space but, unlike the slim Zip 250, there is no option to stand it on its side.The HDD uses a USB 2 connection, but obviously it will also work, albeit more slowly, via traditional USB. A FireWire model will also be available at some point. Since a USB 2 port does not carry enough voltage to power a hard drive, the HDD 20GB also needs a separate power supply.In terms of performance, the USB 2 connection transfers 100MB of data in about seven seconds - not as quick as an IDE hard drive, but quick enough for the HDD to be used like one without complaint.It is a shame that the HDD 20GB it requires a separate power supply, but Iomega cannot be blamed for the failings of the USB 2 standard.Specifications: <ul><li>20GB 4,200RPM external hard disk</li><li>USB 2 connection</li><li>Mains adaptor included</li><li>Dimensons (WxDxH, in mm): 141x17.5x191</li><li>Weight: 190g</li></ul>Price: £189 (inc VAT) Contact: Iomega: 020 7365 9527 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.iomega.com">www.iomega.com</a></body></html></content>http://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132808/iomega-hdd-20gbJulian Prokaza, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Thursday 15 August 2002 at 10:15:07An easy way to add extra storage space to either desktop or notebook PCs.<content page="1"><html><body>Hard disks have never been cheaper and, at the moment, a whopping 80GB model will set you back a mere £90. You do, of course, need the wherewithal to fit it inside your PC, and this means negotiating IDE channels, jumper settings, minuscule screws that ping into your computer innards with minimal effort and - well, you get the picture. If you cannot face or simply cannot be bothered with all this fuss, you should get yourself an external hard drive. By strange coincidence, that is what Iomega has just launched.At £189, the HDD 20GB is rather more expensive than an internal drive, but it is up and running in seconds. It is a slim little number finished in grey and black, much like Iomega's existing Peerless drive. Like the Peerless, the HDD comes in two parts, and the drive clips to a small module that provides the necessary sockets. At less than the size of a paperback book, the HDD takes up little desk space but, unlike the slim Zip 250, there is no option to stand it on its side.The HDD uses a USB 2 connection, but obviously it will also work, albeit more slowly, via traditional USB. A FireWire model will also be available at some point. Since a USB 2 port does not carry enough voltage to power a hard drive, the HDD 20GB also needs a separate power supply.In terms of performance, the USB 2 connection transfers 100MB of data in about seven seconds - not as quick as an IDE hard drive, but quick enough for the HDD to be used like one without complaint.It is a shame that the HDD 20GB it requires a separate power supply, but Iomega cannot be blamed for the failings of the USB 2 standard.Specifications: <ul><li>20GB 4,200RPM external hard disk</li><li>USB 2 connection</li><li>Mains adaptor included</li><li>Dimensons (WxDxH, in mm): 141x17.5x191</li><li>Weight: 190g</li></ul>Price: £189 (inc VAT) Contact: Iomega: 020 7365 9527 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.iomega.com">www.iomega.com</a></body></html></content>VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKCopyright © 1994-2009 VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKJulian Prokaza2002-08-15T10:15:07.000ZHardware Reviewsperipheral-devicesCreative Extigyhttp://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132805/creative-extigyScott Colvey, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Monday 15 July 2002 at 14:59:50A high-kicking add-on for serious audiophiles.<content page="1"><html><body>There's an old joke in computing circles: what's the best way to upgrade a notebook computer? Buy a new one.Portability always involves compromises, and with compacted computers the ability to later improve their specifications is often the first casualty of any size reduction.That's where Creative hopes to find a niche for its Extigy, a high-kicking audio add-on aimed primarily at those interested in notebook enhancement.The manufacturer has dubbed the Extigy an 'external sound card', which fails to do the product full justice. Yes, the Extigy is an external sound card in the sense that it connects to a PC via USB and bestows upgraded audio output on the host, but it's capable of a lot more.Both the front and back panels are festooned with controls and connectors. On its hindquarters sit most modern audio sockets, including SP/DIF, MIDI-in and -out DINs and digital-out. There are a few more sockets and corresponding controls on the front.The reason for all this connectivity is that, as well as acting the soprano to otherwise tone-deaf notebook PCs, the Extigy can be connected to all manner of home entertainment devices.Hook it up to a DVD player, for instance, and the Extigy becomes a Dolby Digital decoder with 5.1-speaker surround-sound output.Of course, the Extigy can perform the same trick when connected to a notebook PC, but we can't help wondering quite how many portable computer owners crave such a facility.Carrying a surround-sound speaker set along with a notebook obviously isn't going to become popular, so Creative's latest offering is really for those users who want a better audio experience at home.The Extigy is undoubtedly a fantastic piece of equipment, but whether notebook owners will be lining up to buy one, only Creative sales figures can reveal.Price: £149.99 (inc. VAT)Specifications:<ul><li>Built-in Dolby Digital decoder</li><li>Remote control handset</li><li>Can be used with notebook or desktop computers, DVD players and games consoles</li><li>Broad line-up of audio input and output sockets</li></ul>Contact: Creative 0118 934 4322 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.europe.creative.com">www.europe.creative.com</a></body></html></content>http://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132805/creative-extigyScott Colvey, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Monday 15 July 2002 at 14:59:50A high-kicking add-on for serious audiophiles.<content page="1"><html><body>There's an old joke in computing circles: what's the best way to upgrade a notebook computer? Buy a new one.Portability always involves compromises, and with compacted computers the ability to later improve their specifications is often the first casualty of any size reduction.That's where Creative hopes to find a niche for its Extigy, a high-kicking audio add-on aimed primarily at those interested in notebook enhancement.The manufacturer has dubbed the Extigy an 'external sound card', which fails to do the product full justice. Yes, the Extigy is an external sound card in the sense that it connects to a PC via USB and bestows upgraded audio output on the host, but it's capable of a lot more.Both the front and back panels are festooned with controls and connectors. On its hindquarters sit most modern audio sockets, including SP/DIF, MIDI-in and -out DINs and digital-out. There are a few more sockets and corresponding controls on the front.The reason for all this connectivity is that, as well as acting the soprano to otherwise tone-deaf notebook PCs, the Extigy can be connected to all manner of home entertainment devices.Hook it up to a DVD player, for instance, and the Extigy becomes a Dolby Digital decoder with 5.1-speaker surround-sound output.Of course, the Extigy can perform the same trick when connected to a notebook PC, but we can't help wondering quite how many portable computer owners crave such a facility.Carrying a surround-sound speaker set along with a notebook obviously isn't going to become popular, so Creative's latest offering is really for those users who want a better audio experience at home.The Extigy is undoubtedly a fantastic piece of equipment, but whether notebook owners will be lining up to buy one, only Creative sales figures can reveal.Price: £149.99 (inc. VAT)Specifications:<ul><li>Built-in Dolby Digital decoder</li><li>Remote control handset</li><li>Can be used with notebook or desktop computers, DVD players and games consoles</li><li>Broad line-up of audio input and output sockets</li></ul>Contact: Creative 0118 934 4322 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.europe.creative.com">www.europe.creative.com</a></body></html></content>VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKCopyright © 1994-2009 VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKScott Colvey2002-07-15T14:59:50.000ZHardware Reviewsperipheral-devicesCanon S750http://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132802/canon-s750Claudia Randall, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Thursday 4 July 2002 at 09:32:53A 'photo-quality' inkjet printer at a fair price.<content page="1"><html><body>So-called 'photo-quality' inkjet printers have been around for some time, and any new entrant to the market has to have something special if it's to stand out.Canon's latest model, the S750, has a redesigned print head which the company claims increases output speed and eliminates the banding effect caused by poor alignment of the ink nozzles as they pass over the paper.Canon says that the S750 can print up to 20 pages per minute (ppm) for mono prints, 13ppm for colour and 2.5ppm for a full-colour A4 page in default mode.It sounds impressive but, as always, the manufacturer's figures are a little optimistic. In tests the S750 managed just over 7ppm for text output, while A4 photographs appeared at the rate of one every two and a half minutes.So, it's slower than Canon's claims, but let's keep things in perspective: the printer is a good bit faster than many of its contemporaries.The banding issue, which so often afflicts inkjet printouts, has been solved by what Canon calls Advanced Precision Colour Distribution Technology. In lay terms, a short gap separates the black and colour nozzles, enabling the black ink to dry before the colour jets are fired on top.This ensures minimal ink bleed. In addition, the colour nozzles are mirrored, allowing the firing order of ink tanks to be the same on both passes of the bi-directional head. The machine also allows for borderless printing, so you can produce photographs without having to trim them afterwards.Unfortunately, we did encounter problems. After about 40 prints on various media our magenta tank stopped printing, even though it still had ink in the reservoir.Selecting the head-clean option fixed this temporarily but the problem did recur. However, Canon assures us that this was a one-off problem with our particular test model.Price: £189 (inc VAT)Specifications:<ul><li>2,400 x 1,200dpi print resolution</li><li>Separate ink tanks (cyan, yellow, magenta, black)</li><li>Borderless printing</li><li>USB and parallel port connection</li><li>Networkable via optional adaptor</li><li>Windows and Mac drivers.</li></ul>Contact: Canon 0800 616 417 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.canon.co.uk/bubblejet">www.canon.co.uk/bubblejet</a></body></html></content>http://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132802/canon-s750Claudia Randall, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Thursday 4 July 2002 at 09:32:53A 'photo-quality' inkjet printer at a fair price.<content page="1"><html><body>So-called 'photo-quality' inkjet printers have been around for some time, and any new entrant to the market has to have something special if it's to stand out.Canon's latest model, the S750, has a redesigned print head which the company claims increases output speed and eliminates the banding effect caused by poor alignment of the ink nozzles as they pass over the paper.Canon says that the S750 can print up to 20 pages per minute (ppm) for mono prints, 13ppm for colour and 2.5ppm for a full-colour A4 page in default mode.It sounds impressive but, as always, the manufacturer's figures are a little optimistic. In tests the S750 managed just over 7ppm for text output, while A4 photographs appeared at the rate of one every two and a half minutes.So, it's slower than Canon's claims, but let's keep things in perspective: the printer is a good bit faster than many of its contemporaries.The banding issue, which so often afflicts inkjet printouts, has been solved by what Canon calls Advanced Precision Colour Distribution Technology. In lay terms, a short gap separates the black and colour nozzles, enabling the black ink to dry before the colour jets are fired on top.This ensures minimal ink bleed. In addition, the colour nozzles are mirrored, allowing the firing order of ink tanks to be the same on both passes of the bi-directional head. The machine also allows for borderless printing, so you can produce photographs without having to trim them afterwards.Unfortunately, we did encounter problems. After about 40 prints on various media our magenta tank stopped printing, even though it still had ink in the reservoir.Selecting the head-clean option fixed this temporarily but the problem did recur. However, Canon assures us that this was a one-off problem with our particular test model.Price: £189 (inc VAT)Specifications:<ul><li>2,400 x 1,200dpi print resolution</li><li>Separate ink tanks (cyan, yellow, magenta, black)</li><li>Borderless printing</li><li>USB and parallel port connection</li><li>Networkable via optional adaptor</li><li>Windows and Mac drivers.</li></ul>Contact: Canon 0800 616 417 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.canon.co.uk/bubblejet">www.canon.co.uk/bubblejet</a></body></html></content>VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKCopyright © 1994-2009 VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKClaudia Randall2002-07-04T09:32:53.000ZHardware Reviewsperipheral-devicesLogitech Z560 surround sound speakershttp://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132798/logitech-z560-surround-sound-speakersStuart Miles, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Friday 7 June 2002 at 09:26:25With slick looks, cool styling and a sound to match, the Z560 is a fine speaker system.<content page="1"><html><body>Most modern PCs come equipped with advanced sound cards capable of outputting multi-channel streams designed to envelop the listener with audio. To take advantage of them, though, a surround-sound speaker set is needed, and that's exactly what Logitech is offering with the Z560.This five-piece system comprises four satellites and a large sub-woofer and is capable of delivering 400W of output power. It produces a clear sound that copes well with both bass and treble.The speakers have a slick, black finish and come with aluminium stands that can be fixed to a wall. Removing the styled front grilles presents a polished aluminium mechanism, typically found in the speakers of high-quality home cinema systems.The units sport hi-fi-style screw-thread connectors, making simple cable extensions possible (most PC speaker systems are restricted by specialist leads).The system is controlled via a desktop box which has volume, bass and fader knobs, as well as a switch to turn on Logitech's M3D Matrix surround-sound technology. This convincingly converts a simple two-channel stereo source to give the impression of full surround sound.Another noteworthy feature is THX certification which, in effect, is a guarantee that audio reproduction will be faithful to film directors' intentions. In the PC arena it means very little because, as far as we know, THX-certified sound cards have yet to appear.The inclusion of a remote control handset would have been a nice touch to appeal to those wanting to use the Z560 in conjunction with a console or DVD player, and a control deck that was built into the front speaker in Logitech's Z540 and Z340 speakers might have appealed to anyone who has an overcrowded desk.Specifications:<ul><li>Surround-sound speaker system comprising four satellite speakers and one subwoofer</li><li>Removable front grilles</li><li>M3D Matrix surround-sound technology</li><li>THX certified</li><li>Works with PCs, DVD players and games consoles</li><li>Two-year guarantee.</li></ul>Price: £199.99 (inc VAT)Contact: Logitech 01753 870900 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.logitech.com">www.logitech.com</a></body></html></content>http://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132798/logitech-z560-surround-sound-speakersStuart Miles, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Friday 7 June 2002 at 09:26:25With slick looks, cool styling and a sound to match, the Z560 is a fine speaker system.<content page="1"><html><body>Most modern PCs come equipped with advanced sound cards capable of outputting multi-channel streams designed to envelop the listener with audio. To take advantage of them, though, a surround-sound speaker set is needed, and that's exactly what Logitech is offering with the Z560.This five-piece system comprises four satellites and a large sub-woofer and is capable of delivering 400W of output power. It produces a clear sound that copes well with both bass and treble.The speakers have a slick, black finish and come with aluminium stands that can be fixed to a wall. Removing the styled front grilles presents a polished aluminium mechanism, typically found in the speakers of high-quality home cinema systems.The units sport hi-fi-style screw-thread connectors, making simple cable extensions possible (most PC speaker systems are restricted by specialist leads).The system is controlled via a desktop box which has volume, bass and fader knobs, as well as a switch to turn on Logitech's M3D Matrix surround-sound technology. This convincingly converts a simple two-channel stereo source to give the impression of full surround sound.Another noteworthy feature is THX certification which, in effect, is a guarantee that audio reproduction will be faithful to film directors' intentions. In the PC arena it means very little because, as far as we know, THX-certified sound cards have yet to appear.The inclusion of a remote control handset would have been a nice touch to appeal to those wanting to use the Z560 in conjunction with a console or DVD player, and a control deck that was built into the front speaker in Logitech's Z540 and Z340 speakers might have appealed to anyone who has an overcrowded desk.Specifications:<ul><li>Surround-sound speaker system comprising four satellite speakers and one subwoofer</li><li>Removable front grilles</li><li>M3D Matrix surround-sound technology</li><li>THX certified</li><li>Works with PCs, DVD players and games consoles</li><li>Two-year guarantee.</li></ul>Price: £199.99 (inc VAT)Contact: Logitech 01753 870900 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.logitech.com">www.logitech.com</a></body></html></content>VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKCopyright © 1994-2009 VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKStuart Miles2002-06-07T09:26:25.000ZHardware Reviewsperipheral-devicesLaCie Hexa Media Drivehttp://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132796/lacie-hexa-media-driveCliff Joseph, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Thursday 6 June 2002 at 11:52:23The Hexa Media Drive is one of the most versatile media readers available.<content page="1"><html><body>The good thing about standards, as the old saying goes, is that there are so many of them. And that's certainly true when it comes to the storage devices used by the peripherals and digital gadgets that you can plug into your computer these days.If you're fond of gadgets you can easily find yourself with a collection of cameras, PDAs and MP3 players that all use different types of storage cards.Connecting and disconnecting all these gadgets from your PC every five minutes can be a bit of a nuisance, so it's often easier to use a separate media reader to add or remove files from the storage cards.These media readers simply treat storage cards like floppy disks, displaying them on the Windows desktop for easy access. Most readers work with only one or two types of card, but LaCie's Hexa Media Drive is the first one we've seen that works with all the main types.As the name implies, it can work with six types of storage: CompactFlash, Microdrive, Secure Digital, SmartMedia, Multimedia Card and even the unloved Sony Memory Stick.Setting up the Hexa Media Drive is straightforward. Once the driver software is installed the unit is plugged into a USB port, and that's it. Now, any storage card inserted into the drive shows up on the Windows desktop just like a floppy disk or any other type of storage device.The three slots on the unit between them accept six different types of card. A small indicator light shows which slot is being used so that you don't accidentally remove a card during data transfer.Specifications:<ul><li>External media reader with USB interface</li><li>USB powered; requires no separate power supply</li><li>Supports CompactFlash, SmartMedia, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital card, Microdrive and Sony Memory Stick</li><li>Displays storage card contents on Windows desktop.</li></ul>Price: £45.82 (inc VAT)Minimum requirements: PC with USB port, Windows 98SE or later.Contact: LaCie 020 7872 8000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lacie.com">www.lacie.com</a></body></html></content>http://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132796/lacie-hexa-media-driveCliff Joseph, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Thursday 6 June 2002 at 11:52:23The Hexa Media Drive is one of the most versatile media readers available.<content page="1"><html><body>The good thing about standards, as the old saying goes, is that there are so many of them. And that's certainly true when it comes to the storage devices used by the peripherals and digital gadgets that you can plug into your computer these days.If you're fond of gadgets you can easily find yourself with a collection of cameras, PDAs and MP3 players that all use different types of storage cards.Connecting and disconnecting all these gadgets from your PC every five minutes can be a bit of a nuisance, so it's often easier to use a separate media reader to add or remove files from the storage cards.These media readers simply treat storage cards like floppy disks, displaying them on the Windows desktop for easy access. Most readers work with only one or two types of card, but LaCie's Hexa Media Drive is the first one we've seen that works with all the main types.As the name implies, it can work with six types of storage: CompactFlash, Microdrive, Secure Digital, SmartMedia, Multimedia Card and even the unloved Sony Memory Stick.Setting up the Hexa Media Drive is straightforward. Once the driver software is installed the unit is plugged into a USB port, and that's it. Now, any storage card inserted into the drive shows up on the Windows desktop just like a floppy disk or any other type of storage device.The three slots on the unit between them accept six different types of card. A small indicator light shows which slot is being used so that you don't accidentally remove a card during data transfer.Specifications:<ul><li>External media reader with USB interface</li><li>USB powered; requires no separate power supply</li><li>Supports CompactFlash, SmartMedia, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital card, Microdrive and Sony Memory Stick</li><li>Displays storage card contents on Windows desktop.</li></ul>Price: £45.82 (inc VAT)Minimum requirements: PC with USB port, Windows 98SE or later.Contact: LaCie 020 7872 8000 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lacie.com">www.lacie.com</a></body></html></content>VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKCopyright © 1994-2009 VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKCliff Joseph2002-06-06T11:52:23.000ZHardware Reviewsperipheral-devicesCanon CanoScan D1250U2Fhttp://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132794/canon-canoscan-d1250u2fBen Lewis, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Friday 31 May 2002 at 15:47:40Speedy scanning is the name of the game with the CanoScan D1250U2F.<content page="1"><html><body>The CanoScan D1250U2F is one of the first scanners we've seen to feature a USB 2.0 connection which, in essence, is a faster version of the existing USB standard.The unit is compact, measuring 257 x 460 x 71mm and weighing just 2.5kg. It has a smart silver and blue metallic finish and is very slim and simple in design.Four 'EZ' buttons permit one-touch operation and control the Scan, Copy, E-mail and Photo functions. A 35mm film adaptor unit is included for scanning transparencies.Canon's clever Z-lid is a nifty feature, allowing you to scan thick books and documents easily. A transparent hinge at the rear keeps the cover parallel to the scanner while scanning unwieldy objects.The USB 2.0 connection came out well in our tests, especially at higher resolutions. For example, when scanning a black and white A4 document the scanner took two minutes 14 seconds to transfer the data via USB 1.1 but just 54 seconds with USB 2.0.It scanned colour photos considerably faster, too. At higher resolutions (600 dpi and beyond), USB 2.0-transferred scans were processed at roughly twice the speed of those carried out with a traditional USB interface.This makes it a tempting prospect for anyone likely to perform lots of high-resolution scanning. To further entice prospective buyers, Canon has included a PCI USB 2.0 upgrade card in the package.However, in other areas the D1250U2F makes the grade only as an average performer. In our Labs it passed the tests for both colour accuracy and image sharpness but the quality of scans, for both documents and photos, was never outstanding.Price: £169 (inc VAT) with film adaptor unit, £119 without.Specifications:<ul><li>Six-line colour CCD scanning</li><li>USB 2.0/1.1 connection (Adaptec USB 2.0 interface card included)</li><li>1,200 x 2,400dpi scan resolution</li><li>35mm film adaptor unit</li><li>Z-lid hinge provides room for scanning of bulky objects</li><li>Imaging software packages included.</li></ul>Minimum requirements: Pentium III 733MHz PC; CDRom drive; Windows 98 or higher (for USB 1.1 operation); or Windows Me or higher (USB 2.0); internet connection required to download USB 2.0 driver.Contact: Canon 0500 246 246 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.canon.co.uk">www.canon.co.uk</a></body></html></content>http://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132794/canon-canoscan-d1250u2fBen Lewis, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Friday 31 May 2002 at 15:47:40Speedy scanning is the name of the game with the CanoScan D1250U2F.<content page="1"><html><body>The CanoScan D1250U2F is one of the first scanners we've seen to feature a USB 2.0 connection which, in essence, is a faster version of the existing USB standard.The unit is compact, measuring 257 x 460 x 71mm and weighing just 2.5kg. It has a smart silver and blue metallic finish and is very slim and simple in design.Four 'EZ' buttons permit one-touch operation and control the Scan, Copy, E-mail and Photo functions. A 35mm film adaptor unit is included for scanning transparencies.Canon's clever Z-lid is a nifty feature, allowing you to scan thick books and documents easily. A transparent hinge at the rear keeps the cover parallel to the scanner while scanning unwieldy objects.The USB 2.0 connection came out well in our tests, especially at higher resolutions. For example, when scanning a black and white A4 document the scanner took two minutes 14 seconds to transfer the data via USB 1.1 but just 54 seconds with USB 2.0.It scanned colour photos considerably faster, too. At higher resolutions (600 dpi and beyond), USB 2.0-transferred scans were processed at roughly twice the speed of those carried out with a traditional USB interface.This makes it a tempting prospect for anyone likely to perform lots of high-resolution scanning. To further entice prospective buyers, Canon has included a PCI USB 2.0 upgrade card in the package.However, in other areas the D1250U2F makes the grade only as an average performer. In our Labs it passed the tests for both colour accuracy and image sharpness but the quality of scans, for both documents and photos, was never outstanding.Price: £169 (inc VAT) with film adaptor unit, £119 without.Specifications:<ul><li>Six-line colour CCD scanning</li><li>USB 2.0/1.1 connection (Adaptec USB 2.0 interface card included)</li><li>1,200 x 2,400dpi scan resolution</li><li>35mm film adaptor unit</li><li>Z-lid hinge provides room for scanning of bulky objects</li><li>Imaging software packages included.</li></ul>Minimum requirements: Pentium III 733MHz PC; CDRom drive; Windows 98 or higher (for USB 1.1 operation); or Windows Me or higher (USB 2.0); internet connection required to download USB 2.0 driver.Contact: Canon 0500 246 246 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.canon.co.uk">www.canon.co.uk</a></body></html></content>VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKCopyright © 1994-2009 VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKBen Lewis2002-05-31T15:47:40.000ZHardware Reviewsperipheral-devicesMurge MindManager 2002http://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/software/2132653/murge-mindmanager-2002Andy Gordon, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Monday 13 May 2002 at 15:34:26'Mind mapping' software that might change the way you think.<content page="1"><html><body>MindManager 2002 is designed to help anyone who has thousands of ideas, but the ability to concentrate only on a few. Since this is almost everyone, the developer hopes that this software will have wide appeal.It applies the methods of Tony Buzan, famous for his numerous studies of what he calls 'mind mapping'. Buzan postulated that the most successful way of managing the human brain's many thoughts is to focus on and write down key words, rather than complete transcripts.MindManager 2002 is designed to automate the process. Beginning with a core idea in the centre, you create main topics branching off leading to sub topics and so on. The premise is that you add ideas as they occur to you and as one thought inspires another.Text can be attached to ideas and displayed in a separate window, symbols are available to act as visual cues, and colours can be changed to catch the eye. Furthermore, you can attach links to separate documents and web pages.Since a free viewer is available from the developer's website, MindManager files can be emailed and inspected by anyone. Alternatively, the data can be exported and converted to text files or web pages, with the map in the middle and the branches displayed as a hierarchical menu on the left.The program borrows from Office XP to build a pleasant-looking application with task panes, substantial tutorials and help from audio/visual examples.It does the job well enough but suffers from an inescapable problem: all this mind-mapping could be done perfectly well with pen and paper for much less than £60.SPECIFICATIONS:<ul><li>Attach Word documents</li><li>Create hyperlinked pages</li><li>Task panes</li><li>Text window</li><li>21-day free trial</li></ul>Price: £59.99 (inc VAT)Minimum requirements: Pentium 133MHz PC; Windows 95; 48Mb Ram; 30Mb free disk space.Contact: Murge 01202 258825 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.murge.com">www.murge.com</a></body></html></content>http://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/software/2132653/murge-mindmanager-2002Andy Gordon, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Monday 13 May 2002 at 15:34:26'Mind mapping' software that might change the way you think.<content page="1"><html><body>MindManager 2002 is designed to help anyone who has thousands of ideas, but the ability to concentrate only on a few. Since this is almost everyone, the developer hopes that this software will have wide appeal.It applies the methods of Tony Buzan, famous for his numerous studies of what he calls 'mind mapping'. Buzan postulated that the most successful way of managing the human brain's many thoughts is to focus on and write down key words, rather than complete transcripts.MindManager 2002 is designed to automate the process. Beginning with a core idea in the centre, you create main topics branching off leading to sub topics and so on. The premise is that you add ideas as they occur to you and as one thought inspires another.Text can be attached to ideas and displayed in a separate window, symbols are available to act as visual cues, and colours can be changed to catch the eye. Furthermore, you can attach links to separate documents and web pages.Since a free viewer is available from the developer's website, MindManager files can be emailed and inspected by anyone. Alternatively, the data can be exported and converted to text files or web pages, with the map in the middle and the branches displayed as a hierarchical menu on the left.The program borrows from Office XP to build a pleasant-looking application with task panes, substantial tutorials and help from audio/visual examples.It does the job well enough but suffers from an inescapable problem: all this mind-mapping could be done perfectly well with pen and paper for much less than £60.SPECIFICATIONS:<ul><li>Attach Word documents</li><li>Create hyperlinked pages</li><li>Task panes</li><li>Text window</li><li>21-day free trial</li></ul>Price: £59.99 (inc VAT)Minimum requirements: Pentium 133MHz PC; Windows 95; 48Mb Ram; 30Mb free disk space.Contact: Murge 01202 258825 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.murge.com">www.murge.com</a></body></html></content>VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKCopyright © 1994-2009 VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKAndy Gordon2002-05-13T15:34:26.000ZSoftware Reviewsperipheral-devicesBrother MFC-590http://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132790/brother-mfc-590Andy Gordon, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Friday 10 May 2002 at 10:12:56A combined printer, scanner and fax.<content page="1"><html><body>Combining the roles of printer, scanner and fax, Brother's new MFC-590 is designed to save desk space, and, hopefully, a few quid as well.In theory, an all-in-one machine like this should work out cheaper than buying the components, but Brother has missed this particular trick. The MFC-590's asking price isn't bad, but you could buy a fine printer, reasonable scanner and serviceable fax machine for less.At least the machine's printing mechanics employ four separate ink tanks - one black, and three colour - which is a much better system than the combined tanks. If one of the colours runs dry, you can replace it individually.As a printer, the MFC-590 boasts an impressive maximum resolution of 2400x1200 and in our tests it produced good results. However, you wouldn't want to sit around waiting for high-resolution colour printouts - the machine took more than nine minutes to plough through our colour-photo output test.In the key area of plain, black text printing it managed an average 3.13 pages per minute (ppm), though the figure dropped to 2.87ppm when dealing with mixed colour and text documents. In short, it's okay, but there are much faster inkjets available for less money.The scanner sits on top and does a competent job at 1200x1200 resolution. As with many multi-function devices (MFDs), the MFC-590 offers only average scanning and printing capabilities. This has always been excused by the fact that MFDs are bought primarily to save space, rather than for high-class performance. However, Brother now shares the MFD market with Lexmark, Sharp and HP, and some of the models we've seen from its competitors deliver superior printing and scanning at better prices.The MFC-590 could also do better at space saving. If both paper trays were on the front it could be positioned flush against the wall, but the paper-feed tray is at the rear and the flimsy paper-out tray on the front.SPECIFICATIONS<ul><li>2400x1200 resolution inkjet printer</li><li>1200x1200 resolution scanner</li><li>Fax machine</li><li>Four ink tanks</li><li>USB connection</li></ul>ContactBrother: 0161 931 2354 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brother.co.uk">www.brother.co.uk</a></body></html></content>http://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132790/brother-mfc-590Andy Gordon, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Friday 10 May 2002 at 10:12:56A combined printer, scanner and fax.<content page="1"><html><body>Combining the roles of printer, scanner and fax, Brother's new MFC-590 is designed to save desk space, and, hopefully, a few quid as well.In theory, an all-in-one machine like this should work out cheaper than buying the components, but Brother has missed this particular trick. The MFC-590's asking price isn't bad, but you could buy a fine printer, reasonable scanner and serviceable fax machine for less.At least the machine's printing mechanics employ four separate ink tanks - one black, and three colour - which is a much better system than the combined tanks. If one of the colours runs dry, you can replace it individually.As a printer, the MFC-590 boasts an impressive maximum resolution of 2400x1200 and in our tests it produced good results. However, you wouldn't want to sit around waiting for high-resolution colour printouts - the machine took more than nine minutes to plough through our colour-photo output test.In the key area of plain, black text printing it managed an average 3.13 pages per minute (ppm), though the figure dropped to 2.87ppm when dealing with mixed colour and text documents. In short, it's okay, but there are much faster inkjets available for less money.The scanner sits on top and does a competent job at 1200x1200 resolution. As with many multi-function devices (MFDs), the MFC-590 offers only average scanning and printing capabilities. This has always been excused by the fact that MFDs are bought primarily to save space, rather than for high-class performance. However, Brother now shares the MFD market with Lexmark, Sharp and HP, and some of the models we've seen from its competitors deliver superior printing and scanning at better prices.The MFC-590 could also do better at space saving. If both paper trays were on the front it could be positioned flush against the wall, but the paper-feed tray is at the rear and the flimsy paper-out tray on the front.SPECIFICATIONS<ul><li>2400x1200 resolution inkjet printer</li><li>1200x1200 resolution scanner</li><li>Fax machine</li><li>Four ink tanks</li><li>USB connection</li></ul>ContactBrother: 0161 931 2354 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brother.co.uk">www.brother.co.uk</a></body></html></content>VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKCopyright © 1994-2009 VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKAndy Gordon2002-05-10T10:12:56.000ZHardware Reviewsperipheral-devicesIomega Predator 24xhttp://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132788/iomega-predator-24xCliff Joseph, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Wednesday 8 May 2002 at 12:08:32A fast drive with USB.<content page="1"><html><body>Iomega was a bit slow in adding USB to its products when the interface was first developed, but it seems to be making a special effort to keep up with USB 2. It's already released a USB 2 version of its 16x CD-RW drive, and the company has now updated its faster Predator drive to use USB 2 as well.The Predator drive runs at 24x10x40x (write/rewrite/read), but the original version of the drive was limited by the speed of the USB interface so it could only run at 4x 4x6x. The USB 2 interface is about 40 times faster than USB 1, though, so the Predator can now run at full speed. This means that it can create a 60-minute music CD in 3-4 minutes.You can still use the Predator on a PC that only has an ordinary USB 1 or 1.1 interface, but the drive will drop back down to the 4x4x6x performance level dictated by that interface. Iomega is currently running a special offer of a free USB 2 upgrade card bundled with initial shipments of the Predator, but it's strictly 'while stocks last' so check on this before you buy the drive.Also bundled with the Predator is Iomega's HotBurn software, an easy-to-use program that provides options for creating data and music CDs, duplicating existing CDs and even designing and printing your own CD labels.The installer's rather annoying, though, as it forces you to fill out a registration form before it will install the software. Only when you've filled out the form does it bother to ask you whether or not you actually want to register.That minor irritation aside, the Predator is a neatly designed CD-RW drive that provides good performance and ease of use. It's not the cheapest 24x drive available, but it's worth getting if you can grab one with the free USB 2 thrown in.The Predator may be just another CD-RW but it performs well, and Iomega's HotBurn software is easy to use for first-time buyers.SPECIFICATIONS<ul><li>24x10x40x CD-RW drive</li><li>Compatible with USB 1.0 and USB 2.0</li><li>HotBurn software for creating and duplicating CDs</li><li>Design and printing software for CD labels</li><li>Free USB 2 card 'while stocks last'</li></ul>Minimum requirementsPC with Windows 98 SE and USB interfaceContactIomega: 020 7216 0003 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.iomega.com">www.iomega.com</a></body></html></content>http://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132788/iomega-predator-24xCliff Joseph, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Wednesday 8 May 2002 at 12:08:32A fast drive with USB.<content page="1"><html><body>Iomega was a bit slow in adding USB to its products when the interface was first developed, but it seems to be making a special effort to keep up with USB 2. It's already released a USB 2 version of its 16x CD-RW drive, and the company has now updated its faster Predator drive to use USB 2 as well.The Predator drive runs at 24x10x40x (write/rewrite/read), but the original version of the drive was limited by the speed of the USB interface so it could only run at 4x 4x6x. The USB 2 interface is about 40 times faster than USB 1, though, so the Predator can now run at full speed. This means that it can create a 60-minute music CD in 3-4 minutes.You can still use the Predator on a PC that only has an ordinary USB 1 or 1.1 interface, but the drive will drop back down to the 4x4x6x performance level dictated by that interface. Iomega is currently running a special offer of a free USB 2 upgrade card bundled with initial shipments of the Predator, but it's strictly 'while stocks last' so check on this before you buy the drive.Also bundled with the Predator is Iomega's HotBurn software, an easy-to-use program that provides options for creating data and music CDs, duplicating existing CDs and even designing and printing your own CD labels.The installer's rather annoying, though, as it forces you to fill out a registration form before it will install the software. Only when you've filled out the form does it bother to ask you whether or not you actually want to register.That minor irritation aside, the Predator is a neatly designed CD-RW drive that provides good performance and ease of use. It's not the cheapest 24x drive available, but it's worth getting if you can grab one with the free USB 2 thrown in.The Predator may be just another CD-RW but it performs well, and Iomega's HotBurn software is easy to use for first-time buyers.SPECIFICATIONS<ul><li>24x10x40x CD-RW drive</li><li>Compatible with USB 1.0 and USB 2.0</li><li>HotBurn software for creating and duplicating CDs</li><li>Design and printing software for CD labels</li><li>Free USB 2 card 'while stocks last'</li></ul>Minimum requirementsPC with Windows 98 SE and USB interfaceContactIomega: 020 7216 0003 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.iomega.com">www.iomega.com</a></body></html></content>VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKCopyright © 1994-2009 VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKCliff Joseph2002-05-08T12:08:32.000ZHardware Reviewsperipheral-devicesBush LCD 15TVhttp://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132786/bush-lcd-15tvAndy Gordon, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Tuesday 7 May 2002 at 14:42:08A monitor and TV set, but it isn't cheap.<content page="1"><html><body>At the same time as flatpanel monitors are becoming more affordable for many PC users, Bush has decided to try and broaden the screen technology's appeal even more. For as well as acting as a computer monitor, the company's new LCD15TV doubles up as a television set.The advantage over a traditional cathode-ray tube (CRT) TV is plain: TFT technology means the unit is barely 6cm deep, considerably shallower than a tube-driven display. At 4.6kg it is easily transportable and does not require a hefty stand. All in all, a very flexible option.Like any TV worth its salt, the LCD15TV comes with inputs for a TV aerial, S-Video, composite video, audio and SCART. To make it a truly standalone option, two speakers are built into the case on the front, below the screen.As a PC monitor it could not be easier to set up, using on-screen menus, and the display is clear with vivid colours. However, it does not support the latest DVI connection for producing the clearest digital pictures possible, and that could be fairly expected at this price.As a TV, the picture is good enough, but we cannot recommend the speakers. The sound is tinny and, on our test model, it echoed around the case and reduced clarity.That's not our final gripe, though. The stand does not inspire confidence. It needs more sticking power and with the screen tilted more than a few degrees from the vertical, it hinted at toppling. In general, the build quality is poor: from the plastic finish to the fixed, non-swivel stand, it does not feel like £700-worth of TV/monitor.There are other flatpanel screens that double as TVs, notably from Samsung, and we would recommend any over Bush's LCD15TV.Specifications<ul><li>15.1in display</li><li>Built-in TV tuner</li><li>Stereo speakers</li><li>S-Video input</li><li>SCART input</li><li>Remote control handset</li></ul>ContactBush: 020 8787 3111. Website under construction</body></html></content>http://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132786/bush-lcd-15tvAndy Gordon, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Tuesday 7 May 2002 at 14:42:08A monitor and TV set, but it isn't cheap.<content page="1"><html><body>At the same time as flatpanel monitors are becoming more affordable for many PC users, Bush has decided to try and broaden the screen technology's appeal even more. For as well as acting as a computer monitor, the company's new LCD15TV doubles up as a television set.The advantage over a traditional cathode-ray tube (CRT) TV is plain: TFT technology means the unit is barely 6cm deep, considerably shallower than a tube-driven display. At 4.6kg it is easily transportable and does not require a hefty stand. All in all, a very flexible option.Like any TV worth its salt, the LCD15TV comes with inputs for a TV aerial, S-Video, composite video, audio and SCART. To make it a truly standalone option, two speakers are built into the case on the front, below the screen.As a PC monitor it could not be easier to set up, using on-screen menus, and the display is clear with vivid colours. However, it does not support the latest DVI connection for producing the clearest digital pictures possible, and that could be fairly expected at this price.As a TV, the picture is good enough, but we cannot recommend the speakers. The sound is tinny and, on our test model, it echoed around the case and reduced clarity.That's not our final gripe, though. The stand does not inspire confidence. It needs more sticking power and with the screen tilted more than a few degrees from the vertical, it hinted at toppling. In general, the build quality is poor: from the plastic finish to the fixed, non-swivel stand, it does not feel like £700-worth of TV/monitor.There are other flatpanel screens that double as TVs, notably from Samsung, and we would recommend any over Bush's LCD15TV.Specifications<ul><li>15.1in display</li><li>Built-in TV tuner</li><li>Stereo speakers</li><li>S-Video input</li><li>SCART input</li><li>Remote control handset</li></ul>ContactBush: 020 8787 3111. Website under construction</body></html></content>VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKCopyright © 1994-2009 VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKAndy Gordon2002-05-07T14:42:08.000ZHardware Reviewsperipheral-devicesSony Cyber-shot DSC-P5http://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132785/sony-cyber-shot-dsc-p5Gordon Laing, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Monday 29 April 2002 at 16:16:49This small and light digital camera maintains Sony's reputation for good hardware.<content page="1"><html><body>Sony's new Cyber-shot DSC-P5 may boast pretty good quality and some unique features, but it's the tiny dimensions that impress most of all. Measuring just 112 x 54 x 36mm with no protruding lens when switched off, it'll slip discreetly into any pocket.The P5 may be the same height and length as Sony's best-selling P1 (which it replaces), but an impressive 8mm has been shaved from its thickness. It's lighter too, at 215g compared to the P1's 250g, both with battery.The P5 is slimmer because it has a smaller battery than the P1. Its new rechargeable lithium-ion battery is good for around 60 minutes of solid use with the LCD screen switched on, compared to around 90 minutes on the older P1. This still translates into a good day or two of shooting depending on usage, but more enthusiastic photographers, or those away from mains electricity for more than a couple of days, should carry a spare battery, costing about £50.Like all Sony digital cameras, the P5's battery employs Sony's unique 'InfoLithium' technology, which actually tells you on the display exactly how many minutes of use are remaining. This feature is invaluable and infinitely more useful than most other cameras, which indicate battery strength in just three or four degrees.At the business end of things, Sony has fitted a 3.2-megapixel CCD; note that this produces the same resolution as earlier 3.3-megapixel models, but the name had to be changed due to new marketing guidelines. Either way, the P5 delivers a maximum image size of 2048 x 1536 pixels - enough detail to make a great looking 10 x 8in inkjet print.These can be saved in the camera with two different levels of JPEG compression or as uncompressed TIFFs, although the latter measure around 9Mb each and take several seconds to save. Connection to a PC is via USB interface and there's also an AV output for making slide shows on your TV.The highest quality JPEG setting produces files measuring around 1.4Mb each. While most cameras of this resolution are supplied with a 16Mb memory card, Sony still insists on supplying a measly 8Mb card, which means you'll only get about five best-quality pictures. The P5 uses Sony's proprietary Memory Stick format, which resembles a stick of chewing gum. A new 64Mb Memory Stick (storing around 45 best-quality P5 pictures) will cost you about £75.Unlike most cameras of its size, the P5 has, remarkably, had a 3x optical zoom lens squeezed into it. This is equivalent in coverage to a 39-117mm lens on a 35mm camera, and the closest focusing distance in macro mode is 10cm. The lens extends out of the body during use, but folds flush back inside when turned off.A protective cover then slides across, so there's no lens cap to worry about here. The P5 also has a five-step manual focus mode which is great for fixing the focus in situations when the camera gets confused, although the new auto focus illuminator helps a great deal when you are taking photos indoors.Pictures are composed using the optical viewfinder, or the incredibly sharp 1.5in colour display on the rear; you can also smoothly zoom into pictures up to five times and scroll around them during playback. It's also dead easy to use the four-way control on the rear of the camera to toggle between the various flash modes, macro, self-timer and the quick-review facility, which lets you instantly check out the last picture taken.Like the P1 before it, the P5 is pretty much an automatic affair. There may be exposure compensation and now manual focus too but, sadly, there's no control over shutter speed or depth of field. Fans of night photography can always select the twilight mode for increased sensitivity and longer exposures though.On the upside, the P5 can record movie clips with sound, lasting up to 15 seconds in the best quality mode, or limited only by memory at the lower quality settings. There's also Sony's unique Clip-motion mode, which records several low-resolution images and saves them as an animated GIF for use on websites or in emails. Finally, the P5 is PIM-compliant, which means owners of Epson's latest photo inkjet printers can enjoy better looking output.Specifications:<ul><li>3.2-megapixel resolution</li><li>3X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 39-117mm</li><li>Lens folds flush into camera</li><li>InfoLithium battery and charger</li><li>Movie mode with sound</li><li>Uncompressed TIFF mode</li><li>Manual focus option</li><li>Epson PIM compliant</li><li>£599 (inc VAT)</li></ul>Contact: Sony 08705 111999 <a href="http://www.sony.co.uk">www.sony.co.uk</a></body></html></content>http://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132785/sony-cyber-shot-dsc-p5Gordon Laing, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Monday 29 April 2002 at 16:16:49This small and light digital camera maintains Sony's reputation for good hardware.<content page="1"><html><body>Sony's new Cyber-shot DSC-P5 may boast pretty good quality and some unique features, but it's the tiny dimensions that impress most of all. Measuring just 112 x 54 x 36mm with no protruding lens when switched off, it'll slip discreetly into any pocket.The P5 may be the same height and length as Sony's best-selling P1 (which it replaces), but an impressive 8mm has been shaved from its thickness. It's lighter too, at 215g compared to the P1's 250g, both with battery.The P5 is slimmer because it has a smaller battery than the P1. Its new rechargeable lithium-ion battery is good for around 60 minutes of solid use with the LCD screen switched on, compared to around 90 minutes on the older P1. This still translates into a good day or two of shooting depending on usage, but more enthusiastic photographers, or those away from mains electricity for more than a couple of days, should carry a spare battery, costing about £50.Like all Sony digital cameras, the P5's battery employs Sony's unique 'InfoLithium' technology, which actually tells you on the display exactly how many minutes of use are remaining. This feature is invaluable and infinitely more useful than most other cameras, which indicate battery strength in just three or four degrees.At the business end of things, Sony has fitted a 3.2-megapixel CCD; note that this produces the same resolution as earlier 3.3-megapixel models, but the name had to be changed due to new marketing guidelines. Either way, the P5 delivers a maximum image size of 2048 x 1536 pixels - enough detail to make a great looking 10 x 8in inkjet print.These can be saved in the camera with two different levels of JPEG compression or as uncompressed TIFFs, although the latter measure around 9Mb each and take several seconds to save. Connection to a PC is via USB interface and there's also an AV output for making slide shows on your TV.The highest quality JPEG setting produces files measuring around 1.4Mb each. While most cameras of this resolution are supplied with a 16Mb memory card, Sony still insists on supplying a measly 8Mb card, which means you'll only get about five best-quality pictures. The P5 uses Sony's proprietary Memory Stick format, which resembles a stick of chewing gum. A new 64Mb Memory Stick (storing around 45 best-quality P5 pictures) will cost you about £75.Unlike most cameras of its size, the P5 has, remarkably, had a 3x optical zoom lens squeezed into it. This is equivalent in coverage to a 39-117mm lens on a 35mm camera, and the closest focusing distance in macro mode is 10cm. The lens extends out of the body during use, but folds flush back inside when turned off.A protective cover then slides across, so there's no lens cap to worry about here. The P5 also has a five-step manual focus mode which is great for fixing the focus in situations when the camera gets confused, although the new auto focus illuminator helps a great deal when you are taking photos indoors.Pictures are composed using the optical viewfinder, or the incredibly sharp 1.5in colour display on the rear; you can also smoothly zoom into pictures up to five times and scroll around them during playback. It's also dead easy to use the four-way control on the rear of the camera to toggle between the various flash modes, macro, self-timer and the quick-review facility, which lets you instantly check out the last picture taken.Like the P1 before it, the P5 is pretty much an automatic affair. There may be exposure compensation and now manual focus too but, sadly, there's no control over shutter speed or depth of field. Fans of night photography can always select the twilight mode for increased sensitivity and longer exposures though.On the upside, the P5 can record movie clips with sound, lasting up to 15 seconds in the best quality mode, or limited only by memory at the lower quality settings. There's also Sony's unique Clip-motion mode, which records several low-resolution images and saves them as an animated GIF for use on websites or in emails. Finally, the P5 is PIM-compliant, which means owners of Epson's latest photo inkjet printers can enjoy better looking output.Specifications:<ul><li>3.2-megapixel resolution</li><li>3X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 39-117mm</li><li>Lens folds flush into camera</li><li>InfoLithium battery and charger</li><li>Movie mode with sound</li><li>Uncompressed TIFF mode</li><li>Manual focus option</li><li>Epson PIM compliant</li><li>£599 (inc VAT)</li></ul>Contact: Sony 08705 111999 <a href="http://www.sony.co.uk">www.sony.co.uk</a></body></html></content>VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKCopyright © 1994-2009 VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKGordon Laing2002-04-29T16:16:49.000ZHardware Reviewsperipheral-devicesPinnacle Expresshttp://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/software/2132649/pinnacle-expressKyle MacRae, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Friday 5 April 2002 at 15:05:30Burn your home movies straight to disc.<content page="1"><html><body>The trouble with home video is that, once you've shot your footage and transferred it to a computer for editing, what do you do with the finished product?The usual route is re-recording to a VHS cassette, which means it's easy to share, but you lose the digital quality in the process. Here's an alternative of sorts: burn your movies straight to discs that can be played on a domestic DVD player or any DVDRom-equipped PC.Express has three functions. First, it captures video from a digital camcorder through a FireWire port (and if your computer doesn't have one, you can buy the the DV edition of Express which, for an extra £20, includes a FireWire card). Existing AVI video files and still images can also be imported.Second, it lets you sort your clips and pictures into some semblance of a story line. At this point we should state categorically that, if you're looking for a sophisticated editing package along the lines of Pinnacle's own Studio DV, you'll be sorely disappointed: options here are few, rudimentary and ultimately frustrating.Finally, it burns a finished project onto either CD-R media (in VideoCD or Super VideoCD format) or straight to DVD (if you have the required hardware).A VideoCD will play on some but not all standalone DVD players (check compatibility first) and only at approximately VHS quality. The Super VideoCD format offers a far superior quality but has virtually no DVD player support. DVD is by far the best option but few PCs come kitted out with DVD-R/RW drives.Aside from the editing limitations, our main quibble with Express is its limited support for CD-R/RW drives. We tried it with three without any success. Indeed, the only drive with which we could persuade Express to perform at all was a new and expensive La Cie DVD-RW.Specifications:<ul><li>Capture video from a digital camcorder</li><li>Turn clips and still images into movies</li><li>Add a soundtrack</li><li>Burn finished projects in VideoCD, Super VideoCD or DVD formats</li></ul>Minimum requirements: Windows 9x/2000; 350MHz Pentium processor; 64Mb Ram; 30Mb free hard disk space; CD-R/RW or DVD-R/RW drive.Contact: Pinnacle 01895 442003 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pinnaclesys.com">www.pinnaclesys.com</a></body></html></content>http://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/software/2132649/pinnacle-expressKyle MacRae, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Friday 5 April 2002 at 15:05:30Burn your home movies straight to disc.<content page="1"><html><body>The trouble with home video is that, once you've shot your footage and transferred it to a computer for editing, what do you do with the finished product?The usual route is re-recording to a VHS cassette, which means it's easy to share, but you lose the digital quality in the process. Here's an alternative of sorts: burn your movies straight to discs that can be played on a domestic DVD player or any DVDRom-equipped PC.Express has three functions. First, it captures video from a digital camcorder through a FireWire port (and if your computer doesn't have one, you can buy the the DV edition of Express which, for an extra £20, includes a FireWire card). Existing AVI video files and still images can also be imported.Second, it lets you sort your clips and pictures into some semblance of a story line. At this point we should state categorically that, if you're looking for a sophisticated editing package along the lines of Pinnacle's own Studio DV, you'll be sorely disappointed: options here are few, rudimentary and ultimately frustrating.Finally, it burns a finished project onto either CD-R media (in VideoCD or Super VideoCD format) or straight to DVD (if you have the required hardware).A VideoCD will play on some but not all standalone DVD players (check compatibility first) and only at approximately VHS quality. The Super VideoCD format offers a far superior quality but has virtually no DVD player support. DVD is by far the best option but few PCs come kitted out with DVD-R/RW drives.Aside from the editing limitations, our main quibble with Express is its limited support for CD-R/RW drives. We tried it with three without any success. Indeed, the only drive with which we could persuade Express to perform at all was a new and expensive La Cie DVD-RW.Specifications:<ul><li>Capture video from a digital camcorder</li><li>Turn clips and still images into movies</li><li>Add a soundtrack</li><li>Burn finished projects in VideoCD, Super VideoCD or DVD formats</li></ul>Minimum requirements: Windows 9x/2000; 350MHz Pentium processor; 64Mb Ram; 30Mb free hard disk space; CD-R/RW or DVD-R/RW drive.Contact: Pinnacle 01895 442003 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pinnaclesys.com">www.pinnaclesys.com</a></body></html></content>VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKCopyright © 1994-2009 VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKKyle MacRae2002-04-05T15:05:30.000ZSoftware Reviewsperipheral-devicesIomega 16x10x40x External CD-RWhttp://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132778/iomega-16x10x40x-external-cd-rwCliff Joseph, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Thursday 4 April 2002 at 16:21:22A very nippy drive with a bundled USB 2 card.<content page="1"><html><body>We're finally starting to see a few USB 2 peripherals reaching the shops, and one of the first is this new CD-RW drive from Iomega.USB 2 provides much faster data-transfer speeds, with a maximum of 480Mbits/s compared to the relatively sedate 12Mbits/s managed by a standard USB interface.This means peripherals such as scanners, webcams and CD-RW drives can work much faster and more efficiently, while still maintaining the simplicity that makes USB so useful. The problem with these new USB 2 devices is that few PCs are equipped with the necessary port.To get around this, Iomega has bundled a USB 2 card with its new 16x10x40 External CD-RW drive. The device is an Adaptec USB 2 Connect card with two ports, so you can connect other peripherals to it alongside the Iomega drive.The previous version of this drive was designed for a normal USB 1 interface and only provided 4x4x6 performance levels (that's 4x for write, 4x rewrite and 6x for read). Moving to USB 2 provides a big increase in performance to 16x for writing, 10x for rewrite and 40x for read. This means that you can write (or 'burn') a one-hour audio CD in under five minutes.In addition to the updated hardware, Iomega has included a new piece of software called HotBurn. This provides a simple drag-and-drop interface that makes it very easy to create your own CDs, and also allows you to save files to CD from within other applications.There are cheaper CD-RW drives available, but the 16x10x40x External CD-RW works well and includes a good software bundle. And, with the USB 2 card included, it provides a useful upgrade that will allow you to add other USB 2 peripherals in the future.Features:<ul><li>16x10x40x (write/rewrite/read) speed</li><li>Bundled USB 2 PCI card</li><li>HotBurn CD-burning software</li><li>QuickSync backup software</li><li>Buffer under-run prevention</li></ul>Minimum requirements: Windows 98 SE; USB port and spare PCI slot for USB 2 card.Contact: Iomega 020 7216 0003 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.iomega.com">www.iomega.com</a></body></html></content>http://www.whatpc.co.uk/whatpc/hardware/2132778/iomega-16x10x40x-external-cd-rwCliff Joseph, <a href="http://www.whatpc.co.uk/">What PC?</a>, Thursday 4 April 2002 at 16:21:22A very nippy drive with a bundled USB 2 card.<content page="1"><html><body>We're finally starting to see a few USB 2 peripherals reaching the shops, and one of the first is this new CD-RW drive from Iomega.USB 2 provides much faster data-transfer speeds, with a maximum of 480Mbits/s compared to the relatively sedate 12Mbits/s managed by a standard USB interface.This means peripherals such as scanners, webcams and CD-RW drives can work much faster and more efficiently, while still maintaining the simplicity that makes USB so useful. The problem with these new USB 2 devices is that few PCs are equipped with the necessary port.To get around this, Iomega has bundled a USB 2 card with its new 16x10x40 External CD-RW drive. The device is an Adaptec USB 2 Connect card with two ports, so you can connect other peripherals to it alongside the Iomega drive.The previous version of this drive was designed for a normal USB 1 interface and only provided 4x4x6 performance levels (that's 4x for write, 4x rewrite and 6x for read). Moving to USB 2 provides a big increase in performance to 16x for writing, 10x for rewrite and 40x for read. This means that you can write (or 'burn') a one-hour audio CD in under five minutes.In addition to the updated hardware, Iomega has included a new piece of software called HotBurn. This provides a simple drag-and-drop interface that makes it very easy to create your own CDs, and also allows you to save files to CD from within other applications.There are cheaper CD-RW drives available, but the 16x10x40x External CD-RW works well and includes a good software bundle. And, with the USB 2 card included, it provides a useful upgrade that will allow you to add other USB 2 peripherals in the future.Features:<ul><li>16x10x40x (write/rewrite/read) speed</li><li>Bundled USB 2 PCI card</li><li>HotBurn CD-burning software</li><li>QuickSync backup software</li><li>Buffer under-run prevention</li></ul>Minimum requirements: Windows 98 SE; USB port and spare PCI slot for USB 2 card.Contact: Iomega 020 7216 0003 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.iomega.com">www.iomega.com</a></body></html></content>VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKCopyright © 1994-2009 VNU Business Publications LTD, London UKCliff Joseph2002-04-04T16:21:22.000ZHardware Reviewsperipheral-devices