New video converter announced

A new analogue to digital video converter has been introduced in the UK, capable of inputting video from tape to a computer for digital editing and then outputting it back to tape. Datavideo's DAC-100 DV Converter can convert video from Digital-8, Video-8, Hi8, VHS, S-VHS, VHS-C and S-VHS-C. Video is transferred to a Mac or PC and back again via FireWire, without, it is claimed, any loss of quality. ...more

Yuletide technophobia

Dr David Lewis, a psychologist and author of the book Information Overload, has identified a new syndrome that could be affecting technophobes this yuletide. FAT syndrome (Festive Anxiety due to Technology) might just sweep the nation with Boxing Day being the most dangerous time, with people pressurised into trying to understand the new gadgetry that's been given out as presents. A survey commissioned by Comet backs up Dr Lewis' idea with its findings stating that nine out of ten adults believe that children understand technology better than they do. ...more

Ofcom favours wireless MP3 transmitters

Ofcom has proposed the legalisation of low-power FM transmitters which can be used to wirelessly connect portable audio devices to radios and in-car entertainment systems. The volte-face over devices such as the iPod-compatible iTrip follows a six-week investigation of whether such simple and low cost devices, widely used in other countries, could be used in the UK without interfering with broadcast services. 'Ofcom is responding to growing consumer demand for the use of these devices and has led negotiations in Europe to develop a harmonised approach to their use by late autumn 2006,' the regulator said in a statement. ...more

Apple leaks Power Mac specs

Apple briefly leaked details of new G5 Power Macs on its website last night, according to MacMinute. If these details are correct, then the new Macs will feature 1.6GHz, 1. ...more

Orange is the new black for the next Half Life 2 game

The games publisher EA has released more details about the shape of the next Half Life 2 release - the long-awaited but much delayed game is now scheduled to arrive in the autumn, and it will come in black and orange. The 'Black Box' will ship for the PC and include Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Portal and Team Fortress 2. The 'Orange box', which is for the PS3 and Xbox 360, as well as the PC, will also contain original Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode One. ...more