Ear Force X3 Headset: Chat + Wireless Game Audio, for Xbox 360 Review

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(More customer reviews)I play combat games for the most part: Call of Duty 4, Halo 3 ... but others, too -- like Rock Band, which as you might guess can also get LOUD.

My wife hates the noise. That means I need headphones for game play. And I've tried/tested pretty much all of them, including the earlier versions of Turtle Beach (wired and wireless, like the X2) as well as many other brands, like the Tritton True 5.1 Digital Audio Headset with AX360 Audio Xtreme 360.

Until the Turtle Beach Ear Force X3 Wireless Headphones (which I got for Christmas), my two favorite were:

* the Turtle Beach EarForce X2 (wireless)
* The Trittons (wired)

Both of the above had pros and cons.

The pros of the X2s was that they were wireless and had decent Xbox Live Chat capabilities. The pros of the Trittons was the fantastic sound quality. There are 4 dials for sound alone! If you don't play games that require Xbox Live, these are fabulous headphone. They use an optical sound cable. Fab sound quality.

Cons of both the X2 and the Trittons: depending on the game, is that it can be hard to clearly hear your teammates during the heat of battle -- even in the lobby if there is default game music playing (in Call of Duty 4, there is no user option to turn this music off).

You also can't hear yourself talk -- both of your ears are covered, naturally, so when you talk, you tend to get LOUD because you can't hear yourself. Your own voice is muffled.

Turtle Beach Ear Force X3 Wireless Headphones for Xbox 360 solved this problem. Now you can "hear" yourself talk. Much like when you are on the phone, you can hear a little bit of your voice through the earpiece part of the phone.

The wireless base station is also MUCH smaller than the X2's base station. Which was huge mainly because it was designed to needlessly hold the headphones when not in use.

Pros of the X3s:
* Set up takes about 3 minutes. Plug and play.
* The earphones are comfy -- even on my big, adult head
* Wireless
* Can "hear" yourself talk through the headphones
* "Bass boost" option mode (a switch near the volume)
* TWO volume dials: one for overall gameplay, another for Xbox Live chat. For example, I love Call of Duty 4, but you are unable to turn off the lobby's default music in between games. With the other headphones, I had trouble hearing folks. The X3s enable you to dial down the music altogether -- so you just hear the chat in the lobby.
* Mute button
* Surround sound is good ... you can tell where the bad guys are coming from

CONS:
Sound quality is good -- but not amazing. But remember that these are wireless. The wired headphones have a bit of an advantage in overall sound quality.

Tip: With the Turtle Beach X3s, unlike ALL of the other headphones, under the "voice" personal options 360 menu, select the default "Play Voice through Headset" and not "both headset and speakers."

You are going to love these headphones.

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Product Description:
With Xbox 360 Wireless Headsets you can pump up the volume without disturbing friends, family or neighbors. Wireless Xbox 360 gaming headsets allow you to freely move around as you play. Hear every nuance of the game - from an opponent sneaking up behind you to your teammate-s voice right next to you. Trash talk online & Block out distractions at the same time. The Turtle Beach Ear Force X3 wireless xbox 360 headsets are everything you need for an amazing gaming experience.

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NASCAR Rumble Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a very fun game!It is a cartoonish, arcade racing game along the lines of Mario Kart and Crash CTR but with the NASCAR theme.Hilarious announcers and larger than life gameplay!Not recommended if you'relooking for anything resembling a racing simulator, but if your justlooking for a fast, fun, loud game it's for you!

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Logitech G7 Laser Cordless Mouse Review

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(More customer reviews)The Logitech G7 cordless laser mouse is an impressive piece of PC hardware. More often than not for the casual PC user the mouse is overlooked (unless you still have one of those ancient ball mice where you have to pull out the ball and clean the rollers every other day), so Logitech smartly marketed their high end (in price and quality) G7 mouse toward the hardcore gamer segment, the segment who needs the best technology and needs it now. And its main draw--the accuracy and sensitivity of the mouse-- is geared towards that segment of FPS freaks who need that added edge of being more accurate in the sniper role, yet capable of turning and looking as swiftly as possible in the deathmatch or team arenas.

The main draw here is the 2000 dpi laser engine.And, having had experience with the entire line of Logitech's higher end mice--MX510, MX518, MX1000 and now, G7--I can say that the G7 is undoubtedly the most precise mouse I have ever used. The laser engine in the G7 makes a tangible difference in the FPS games I normally play. And ergonomically it fits my relatively small hands rather well. Think of it as a slightly heavier MX 510 or 518--it's about as narrow, and very similarly shaped to its predecessors.The G7, besides having state of the art laser technology and the previous gaming mice ergonomics, now has the added benefit of the tilt wheel. Why the tilt wheel didn't make an appearance in the older gaming mice remains a mystery to me.

Besides that the G7 keeps giving.For one, the high quality PTFE pads the mouse glides over are incredibly smooth. And of course the cordless freedom it offers.For those of you who worry about interference in cordless mice-you won't with the G7.It's not an issue in the slightest sense.Logitech claims the cordless technology in the G7 is "bulletproof", and that is an accurate statement.Finally the swappable battery packs are a great idea-not only will you always have juice, but having the ability to swap out batteries means being able to buy separate batteries down the road-a feature that hampers the otherwise capable MX1000's longevity in comparison.

Also, despite the fact that Logitech is marketing this mouse to the gamer segment, the G7's adjustable sensitivity switching is a boon for any type of mouse use that requires accuracy in movement.Photoshop and other paint program users can dial down the sensitivity for smaller, more precise actions on images that require it.Furthermore, the actual dpi settings are user-adjustable from 400 to 2000 dpi in 50 dpi segments, with 5 customizable settings using the included SetPoint software.Beyond that SetPoint allows for fully customizable buttons. The G7 is an extremely flexible mouse.

The two gripes that I have about the G7 may be major or minor depending on your mouse needs. First, while the G7 is more sensitive and more accurate than the MX1000, it features less buttons (most importantly the forward button on the left side/thumb area of the mouse).Secondly, this is an expensive mouse.Casual users will find it hard pressed to justify buying a mouse this expensive for casual use, even casual gaming use. Most will be satisfied with an MX1000 which is substantially cheaper and, despite being less sensitive and having a non-replaceable battery, has more buttons and is more than adequate for general use across the board.

Ultimately the G7 represents the pinnacle of mouse technology housed in a very comfortable, light, and cordless shell.You pay the premium, but for the most part you get what you pay for--if "insane to the point of overkill" accuracy and cordless reliability is what you're looking for.

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Product Description:
MODEL- 931375 VENDOR- LOGITECH INC

FEATURES- G7 Laser Cordless Mouse- Black
Application Switch, Cordless, Laser Technology, PC, Rechargeable,
Right-Handed Comfort Grip, Scroll wheel, Tilt Wheel Plus Zoom, USB.
Extreme cordless performance. The Logitech G7 Cordless Mouse
delivers extreme cordless performance with a 2000 dpi laser engine
for blinding speed and precision response. The G7s full-speed,
bi-directional USB connection sends a blazing 500 reports/second
over 2.4 GHz wireless for a bulletproof connection. Dead batteries
will not stop you mid-mission, thanks to a five-level power
indicator and twin "hot-swappable" Li-ion battery packs that
recharge while you are racking up points. Use Logitechs SetPoint
software to customize your mouse with advanced features such as
game detection and adjustable sensitivity (including independent
x- and y-axis settings). The programmable tilt wheel adds an
unprecedented level of control and gaming power.
Includes G7 Laser Cordless Mouse, (2) Li-Ion Battery packs, Charging
station, USB dongle, CD with SetPoint software, Installation guide.
* 2000 dpi Laser Engine
An ultra-high resolution engine churns images at an astounding 6.4
megapixels per second. A massive (30-pixel by 30-pixel) sensor array and
precision laser technology allow the G7 to deliver best-in-class
performance and tracking.
* Full-speed USB + 2.4 GHz cordless
4X faster than conventional mice, USB delivers blazing speed and instant
acceleration. With a 5X stronger connection, 2.4 GHz wireless
"bulletproofs" the G7 against lags and interference dropouts.
* Two fast-swap ultra-light Li-ion packs
Recharging does not have to mean pausing the action. . In the default
gaming power mode, the battery life

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PSP UMD Case Review

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(More customer reviews)Definitely a good case. It's hard and sturdy. It's got two sliding buttons on the front to open each side of the case. Each side holds 4 UMDs. The slots on the inside hold the UMDs very securely so your UMDs dont go flying around. And even though there is a tight grip to hold the game, this doesnt hinder it from letting the games come out with ease. I've had DVD cases hold onto a dvd so hard that I would actually start talking to the case and saying "If you make me break this DVD, I'm going to go burn you in a fire pit!"

The only thing that might make you want to shy away from this case is that it's as big as your PSP. This doesnt bother me at all, but to some it might.

I took some pics and uploaded them for y'all so you can get a better look than the pic Amazon has.

Oh and dont let Amazons pic fool you... only one slot holds only one game. Not two. Some people might think that due to Amazons pic.

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Product Description:
PSP UMD Case

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Logitech Extreme PC Gaming Headset (980233-0403) Review

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(More customer reviews)If you wear glasses, consider getting a different headset. Because this is a behind the head model, it rests on your ears -- similar to a pair of glasses.If you already wear glasses (like I do) you will most likely find it uncomfortable.The headset does have exceptional voice pickup and sound quality (for gaming) however.It is just a bit uncomfortable with glasses.

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Product Description:
Gain the edge you need in online gaming with the Logitech Extreme PC Gaming Headset. Its behind the head design stays comfortable even after hours of intense action. The 30mm stereo drivers produce high quality audio, and the noise-canceling microphone blocks unwanted background noise. Best of all, the ratchet boom lets you precisely adjust the microphone for optimal positioning... so that it stays put even in the heat of battle.

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Logitech PlayStation 3 Vantage USB Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this originally for rock band on the ps2 because it was the only mic in stock.It worked for my PsII, even though it said PsIII mic.Then we got an xbox360 and i bought rock band for that as well and this mic worked just fine.All in all, it works for xbox360 which is all i really need it for.So if you're shifting between xbox 360and playstation consoles for games which require a mic, this one may be for you.

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Product Description:
A high-performance microphone for karaoke games.Licensed for Xbox 360

Get 23% OFF

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Rock Band 2 Standalone Drums Review

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(More customer reviews)This review will be mostly a comparison with the rock band 1 set, so I'll assume most people reading this are familiar with the game and/or the RB1 set. I'll also mention briefly the cymbal expansion and how it differs from the original play style. To start off, though, I'll list some of the features of this new set.

+Wireless
+Sound dampening pads
+Velocity sensitive (the harder you hit, the louder the sound)
+Metal-reinforced pedal
+Cymbal expansion portsThe set out of the box is just as simple as the first one to set up, and even if you have not put one together before, it is fairly self-explanatory. Square peg goes in the square hole, as it were. It took me about 5 minutes to socket the pieces and get it to the appropriate height I wanted. My overall impressions of the set are that although it is made with more plastic than aluminum this time around, the frame itself seems sturdier, with less wobble because the base and sides are a bit wider. Three AA batteries are needed, so you might want to invest in some rechargable batteries if you plan on playing quite a bit.

When playing, I can hear quite a difference from the original pads, and the sound dampening is indeed doing its job. However, it doesn't soften the sound *as much* as the silencer pads that are sold separately, so if you ended up buying those prior to this set, you may want to hang on to them. In fact, because I don't have a surround sound system on my TV, I found it hard to hear the different noises coming from the velocity sensitive pads unless I turned the TV up uncomfortably loud. In other words, the pads are softer, but still have some clacking going on that may interfere with some people's playing.

Visually, I can see a difference coming from the velocity sensitive equipment, and it gives you an on-screen cue on the lights at the bottom to tell you if what you just did was a soft or hard hit (there isn't anything in-between soft and hard) The velocity sensitive angle strikes me as a nice addition to the franchise, but it's purely for show.

The pedal, meanwhile, is holding up like a champ. I've never been one to slam down on it very much, but the metal plate will give me some added comfort while I play. On the other hand, it is only a plate covering the (still plastic) pedal, and not a replacement for the hinge at the bottom of the pedal, which is where most people have a problem. Expert level players or people who tend to bang on the pedal might still consider a replacement kit to make sure nothing happens to theirs.

Lastly, I bought the 2 pack of cymbals to plug in the expansion ports, and although I won't review them here, I will talk about how they make the game different. The striking part of the cymbals are rubber, so in theory they shouldn't make much noise, but in practice, they are as loud if not louder than the sound dampening pads. Anyone with thin walls or parents they don't want to wake up should be aware that this might still be a problem.

In-game, I've found myself avoiding the cymbals to start off with, because of the added difficulty of switching from pad to cymbal, but also because there is no in-game indicator of which one to use. I suppose I should have known this going in, but I supposed that there would be a way to switch the note charts somehow in the game so that it knew whether the player was using a standard kit or one with cymbals, and changed the notes accordingly. As it is, I'm certainly no drum expert, so knowing instinctively when I should be using what (pad or cymbal) is somewhat of an exercise in frustration, and makes me think that I'm really just picking up bad drumming habits that I'll later have to break. What it comes down to is that if you know a song by heart, or play live drums, this won't be a problem. For everyone else, hoping that this would be something of a drum trainer, the cymbals come off as a tacked-on experience. (Yes, I realize the irony of saying an expansion is tacked-on, but still)

They work as intended, but not without the players knowledge of how to use them. Not even the in-game drum trainer will be much help here because there is still no visual indicator of which object to hit.

As a whole, the set is a spot-on practical improvement. They located problem areas and seem to have improved on them so that the consumer wouldn't have to. But for many of the spots where they tried to take things a bit further (cymbals, velocity sensitive), the experience feels extraneous. The average user can be content with their Rock Band 1 drum kit, given that it is still in playing condition. With 20/20 hindsight, $90 seems like a steep price to pay for the relatively small advancements that this kit allows you to do.

The bottom line: This kit is good, but I would say it's better for people who have not already bought a rock band drum kit, and want one that will last.

Edited 3/18/09: After a few months of play, I thought I would note a couple of other flaws that came up. First of all, the clasps used for the height rods are too loose on my kit, so when I raised the kit and clamped them down, they would come loose while I played, making the whole thing crash down to floor level in the middle of a song. Not good. I had to solve this by switching out the base of my RB1 kit for the RB2 one, but be aware that this can be a problem, and you may have to RMA yours if you pick one up. Secondly, the pedal, as expected, has begun to crack at the hinge, so in all honesty, it's still a question of "when" and not "if" the pedal will break, even on this second generation set. Unfortunately, it looks like the real bottom line is that customers have gotten the shaft as far as Rock Band is concerned. These issues combined with the price knock my review down to 3/5 stars.

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Product Description:
Add a new dimension to your rock experience with the all new wireless Rock Band 2 Drum Set.

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Nintendo DS Lite Travel Kit Review

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(More customer reviews)I did a lot of accessory searching for my DS Lite before buying this kit - sight unseen - because it had the kind of accessories I needed and the one and only feedback so far was very favorable. I hadn't been to fond of much of the accessories for DS Lite so far, but I took a leap of faith with this one hoping for the best.

I was not disappointed! The kit came in today and, even though it's not the prettiest case out there, it is very practical and offers the protection I want for my DS Lite, especially for travelling.

It comes with:

1. A two sided travel bag; one side for the NDS Lite the other for accessories. I like this bag because it has exactly what I needed. A safe singular storage area for the NDS game unit and a separate area for the accessories I usually travel with. There's enough pocket space in the accessory side for games, styli, a rumble pack, earbuds, and a cleaning cloth - which is what I usually travel with. This suits me just fine. The bag has a hook-and-loop belt strap on the back to attach to your backpack or belt. I'll likely do neither, but it's nice to know that it's there. The one fault with this bag (maybe it's just mine) is that it does not handle overstuffing very well - the zipper will separate when you try to close it. It happened twice when I was testing the bag, but it easily and securely closed again when I removed the extra bulk that was causing the zipper to separate. Between that and the ugly logo (my opinion), that makes this bag more like 4 stars instead of five. It also has an attachable wide strap/lanyard that one can sling it over there shoulder or wear around neck.

2. Earbuds. Althought I really wanted the original Nintendo headphone as my sis raved about how good they sounded, these earbuds will do nicely and easily fit in my ear. These earbuds are nicely made; certainly not your standard cheap buds I've seen out there. I'm not an audiophile, but so far these earbuds sound nice and clear. No complaints from me.

3. An extra white stylus and the comfort pen grip. The comfort pen grip is definitely a plus. The NDS Lite stylus very neatly and securely slips into the comfort pen grip allowing you to use your OEM stylus and be more comfortable at the same time. Recently I've started using my Palm stylus to be able to play NDS games more comfortably, but that will now be replace with this comfort grip pen. This is a definite plus and made me all the more happy with my purchase.

4. Car charger. I really don't know how often I'll really use this, but it's nice to have anyway. It keeps my options open. The back end of the charger glows blue when plugged in.

5. Screen protector and soft card. I already have a screen protector on my NDS Lite, so these will serve to replace them when the time comes. Soft card is for smoothing out the screen protector during installation.

6. Screen cleaner with bonus cartridge holder and wrist strap. The wrist strap was a disappointment. I was hoping for a decent wriststrap I can secure to the NDS Lite that I can wear during game play to avoid accidental droppage. This wrist strap will not fit my needs. It's not very long and barely fits over my skinny wrists. I don't see how the practicality of it. However the other items will come in handy. I'll likely keep a soft cloth inside the cartridge holder.

7. Game case. No frills here. Nice silicone fitted interior; sturdy plastic exterior. Comes an extra silicone insert for GBA games (or for rumble pack). The game case also has spots for extra styli - one for NDS Lite, one for the smaller original NDS stylus.

Overall, I'm very please with my purchase at this kit will suit my needs very well. I got what I needed and it looks handsome. So far I'm happy with the quality and the great price I got this whole kit for.

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Product Description:

MODEL- 65100VENDOR- NAKI WORLD INC

FEATURES- DS Lite Travel Kit
Car charger - Charge your DS LITE on the road. Provides Plug-n-Play
power anytime. Works with any 12-volt outlet.
Earphones - Maximize personal audio experience.
Game case with interchangeable tray - Protect and store your game
cartridges and one stylus.
Screen cleaner with bonus cartridge holder and wrist strap -
Convenient screen cleaning tool with additional case for 2 game
cartridges.
Screen protector - Protects both screen and touch panel from
scratches and cracks.
Bonus DS Lite stylus extender - Combine with the Stock Stylus to
transform into a full-size Pen Stylus for better grip and comfort.MANUFACTURER WARRANTY:90 DAYS

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Xbox 360 VGA HD AV Cable Review

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(More customer reviews)The reason that I ended up buying the VGA cable was due to the fact that the component signal (both 720p and 1080i) is subject to overscan.This means that the screen "zooms in" slighty so that you are sure to see a complete picture with no black or static edges.This is a problem though with the Xbox 360 because it ends up cropping the image.For example, the HUD in GRAW is cutoff on the corners when using the component cables.This really bothered me so I gave the VGA a try and viola!

I can now go into the dashboard settings and specify 1360 x 768 which closely matches my LCD's native resolution of 1368 x 768.Thus, I am able to see the whole screen without any overscan/cropping.The only downside is that the overall image gets "washed out" when using the VGA cable.However, this is not really a big deal because most of the newer games (GRAW, Oblivion) have an in-game setting for brightness which you can turn down to eliminate the washed out look.

I highly recommend that you at least give the VGA cables a try.Depending on your TV, you may or may not like them.No big deal though because you can just return them.However, you may find that you really like them and will be glad that you tried them out!Check out my VGA vs Component pictures at http://spaces.msn.com/theshepherdsbag/photos/ and read about my detailed testing on my blog at http://spaces.msn.com/theshepherdsbag/blog/ and you can check out this xbox forum thread for further insights at http://forums.xbox.com/2885313/ShowPost.aspx

Lastly, I have the Samsung LNR238W and there is NO ghosting issues when using the VGA cable.

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Product Description:
VGA HD AV Cable X360

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Xbox 360 Rechargeable Controller Battery Pack Review

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(More customer reviews)The Xbox 360 charger only comes with 1 battery.If you play alot you're going to need an extra.There's nothing worse than being in the middle of a great game and your juice runs out.Get this extra battery!!

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Product Description:
XBOX 360 RECHARGEABLE BP

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Mana Khemia 2: Fall Of Alchemy Review

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(More customer reviews)Well If you played Mana Khemia 1, then you'll definitely love this one. One of the best games I would consider to be on the withering years on the play station 2 console. It has a nice variety of characters in which if you get enough, you can switch in battle. This game reminds me entirely of golden sun, except its not as great as golden sun, it still has memorable great battle music and similar battle systems. I love how it comes with the ost, that makes it worth buying even more, I wish most of the great games came with the ost. The gameplay is 2-D, Running around and on a overworld like map, seeing blob like monsters then encountering them like those in Tales of Symphonia. There are missions that pertain to the plot of each character, and those for just free roaming the world, and side missions for more items/cutscenes/character development arcs. They're skill tree's that through alchemy, you can obtain the item then gaining the skill for the person of choice. Overall, to me its a great game. I suggest buying the first one before buying the second one (duh), so you'd understand the plot.

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Product Description:
THE END MARKS THE BEGINNING FOR ALCHEMY As the bench mark of hardcore RPG titles, Mana Khemia evolves to a new level for the PlayStation 2. With the ultimate 2D graphics blended with anime influenced 3D environments the visuals are stunning. Game play is as excellent as its looks with plenty of action and tons of item crafting.Players can indulge in the hardcore world of gaming with highest degree possible on the PlayStation 2 platform.

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Ear Force X1 Stereo Headset with Chat Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Bought the Turtle Beach X1 headset, worked great initially. GF was happy the 360 would no longer disturb her with sounds at night. However, once I plugged the puck and mic into the controller, all went downhill. I play on LIVE in games that needs a mic to communicate with friends (Call of Duty 4). Whenever the mic is plugged in, there is a LOUD annoying buzzing sound that won't go away until I unplug the puck and mic from the controller. Without the mic attached, sound works great, but the left speakers had a tendency to go out intermittently. Really had high hopes for this headset, will probably return.

Update 5/22/08:
Buzzing sound problem: I was able to identify the source of the buzzing sound from the headset. After plugging in different controllers, mics and set-ups, the culprit is the wired charge kit adapter that connects from the 360 to the wireless controller that is being charged. The solution is to use only a wireless controller with the headset. That means now I have to charge the wireless controllers when I am not using the headset or purchase a separate battery pack charger. Turtle Beach website support is not that easy to navigate, but the FAQ does mention a ground AC connector causing interference, and I assumed it meant the charge kit cable. I wish the FAQ/support site was more clear in their wording.

Left-side speakers losing sound: The problem was identified and solved. Reason was hook-up to Onkyo sound system. Onkyo sound system is hooked up to 360 by digital connection and then the Turtle headset uses analog. Had to turn off digital surround sound, which caused the fluctuation in right/left headset speakers and switched to stereo sound. This also reduced the loud bass BOOMs. (Shotgun blasts in COD4 are incredibly LOUD). I decided to connect to the Sharp Aquos LCD directly and avoid having to switch settings on the Onkyo sound system.

My previous review gave 2-stars. Amazon does not allow for changing of stars but I would say 4 stars now. After troubleshooting, I have decided to keep the Turtle Beach headset. Future buyers be aware that you may need to troubleshoot depending on your set-up.

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Product Description:
The Ear Force X1 Xbox 360 Stereo Headset's integrated design overcomes the limitation of Xbox communicator headsets that block game sound from one ear and eliminates voice chat interference caused by the headset microphone picking up sound from external speakers. Pump up the volume without disturbing friends, family or neighbors with these Xbox 360 Stereo Headsets.Hear every nuance of the game - from an opponent sneaking up behind you to your teammate's voice right next to you. Trash talk online.Block out distractions.It's everything you need for an amazing gaming experience.

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WWE Smackdown vs Raw '09 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I received this item in time for Christmas. The limited availability of this game, and the fact that it was a last minute gift choice, made the price worth paying. I really liked the whole steel cage packaging and the extra Blu-ray disc containing over 2 hours of additional content. I recommend this game to all WWE fans.

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Product Description:
The Number One fighting game franchise in the world is back on the PlayStation 3 with WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 (Collector's Edition), giving wrestling fans the definitive simulation of the WWE experience. This Collector's Edition includes extras such as a Blu-Ray disc with behind-the-scenes content, a special steel cage case, and a code to unlock Ric Flair.


WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 for the PS3 delivers enhanced graphics, new matches, and a huge roster of wrestlers. View larger.

The PS3 Collector's Edition includes a steel cage case, Blu-ray bonus disc, and a code to unlock Ric Flair. View larger.

Play cage, TLC, table, hardcore, royal rumble, extreme rules, and many other match types. View larger.

New weapons and objects include steel steps, tables, ladders, trash cans, and more. View larger.

Wrestling superstar roster includes Ashley, Batista, Chris Jericho, Hardcore Holly, and many others. View larger. Special Collector's Edition Extras
For WWE fans, this Collector's Edition includes bonus content that they won't want to miss. In addition to the game being packaged in a steel cage case, a Blu-ray disc is included which has a feature on how the game was made, and also has footage of eight great matches of the past year. There is also a code included so you can unlock Ric Flair via the game's cheat section.
Play as All Your Favorite WWE Superstars
A huge roster of superstars are included in the game, drawing from the Raw, Smackddown, ECW, and more. Some of the players include: Ashley, Batista, Chris Jericho, Hardcore Holly, John Cena, Kane, Layla, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Shawn Michaels, William Regal, Big Daddy V, Big Show, Edge, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Chavo Guerrero, Finlay, Tazz, and dozens more.
In addition, the Create-a-Superstar returns, letting you customize your own character, play as him through the career mode and become the next superstar. You can also use the new Create-A-Finisher feature to make a unique finishing move by chaining together 10 different animations out of over 500.
Enhanced Tag-Team Matches and Other New Match Types
Tag Team matches are emphasized in Smackdown vs. Raw 2009, and there are many new additions to make the game more realistic and fun. Players can now perform double teams on opponents, such as having one player hold an opponent against the ropes while on the apron, or pulling down on ropes while an opponent is running to send them out of the ring. And there are now different ways of tagging in, such as the forced blind tag and reversible hot tag. Teams also get team-specific finishing moves that are incredibly satisfying to perform.
In addition to tag matches, there are 14 one-on-one match types including the Inferno, Gauntlet, Falls Count Anywhere, Steel Cage and Ladder matches, and even a Backstage Brawl.
Road to Wrestlemania Mode
The single player Road to Wrestlemania mode offers a deep and diverse story line that is filled with brand defections, team building, and strategic alliances. You can choose from Triple H, CM Punk, The Undertaker, John Cena, and Chris Jericho to play in this single-player mode. There is also a story line for co-operative play, in which players control Batista and Rey Mysterio. The story lines are so custom tailored and well done that you might find them more compelling than what you see on television.
Play Online and Download New Content
You can play against friends online in different matches, and this time, voice support has been added so you can trash talk to your heart's content. Additionally, you can also download new content to keep the game fresh.
WWE fans and fighting game fans alike will both love this latest game, giving them a chance to grapple as their favorite superstars.

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PlayStation 3 Component AV Cable Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The product summary doesn't mention it, but the box these come in DOES state that it's for use with Playstation 3 and Playstation 2.

I actually bought these for use with my Playstation 2 and was not disappointed.The difference between the output on the standard cable and this cable on a 61" HDTV is enormous!God of War looked blurry before, but now running it in progressive widescreen mode (480p) the difference is like night and day.Gran Turismo 4 outputs to 1080i and is amazing!

If you have HDTV and a Playstation 2 get this cable, don't worry that the product description doesn't mention playstation 2, the box does.

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SONY PS3 AV COMPONENT CABLE

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Plantronics Gamecom X10 Review

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(More customer reviews)My Microsoft headset microphone stopped working after 7 months and my identical spare did not work out of the box (Microsoft did replace one with one that did work), so I swore off all Microsoft 360 headsets and went with the Plantronics X10 for Xbox 360. At first, it was a little snug but soon I got used to it. Works like a charm and all of my friends can now hear me loud and clear. I really like the volume/mute switch being inline because I can clip it to where I need it. At $14.99, this head set was cheaper than the Microsoft version. Hopefully, the Plantronics headset will last longer than the Microsoft set. I gave this headset 4 stars due to it's tighter than expected fit. All in all a better choice....so far.

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GameCom X10 for Xbox 360

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Test Drive Unlimited Review

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(More customer reviews)Test Drive Unlimited pros:
* comes on DVD instead of multiple CDs
* wide open environment (the entire 'big island' of Oahu, Hawaii)
* clever and seamless mixing of SP and MP experiences when online
* a truly huge selection of cars, from foreign to domestic, and muscle cars to exotics
* impressive vistas and white-knuckle racing challenges, with strangers and (with a little work) with friends
* driving wheels really make a difference, although you can race with a joystick, pc game pad controller, or just your keyboard (you will have the most fun and the best driving experience with a wheel, however - serious drivers won't think twice about this)
* NPC cars seem to ask, for the most part, like common people driving around and doing what they do, including signalling to turn and slowing down for intersections, obeying the traffic lights, and so on
* hit too many cars and the police will chase you - you can outrun them, or you can crash and burn and find yourself paying a fine or even spending a little downtime in the slammer to think about the error of your ways
* buy houses in scenic places with 4, 6, 8, or 10-car garages
* keep a stable of cars in multiple houses around the island
* tunnels!
* multiple car classes, from E - A (with G having some surprises of its own)
* ability to take screenshots in mid-race, changing camera angles, zooming in and out, and so forth.catching air and taking a screenshot is too cool
* motorcyles!

Test Drive Unlimited cons:
* weird save bug that may corrupt your profile and cost you your latest progress - suggest saving your savedgames off to another location after each successful session
* some NVIDIA-related drivers issues (check the Atari TDU forums for which drivers seem to work and what to do when they don't)
* police NPCs are drones.If you blow the doors off a police car, they don't chase you down.Apparently, it's ok to speed as long as 'race clean'

Overall, this game has high replay value, no monthly charges, a helpful community, and some of the best PC racing action I've ever experienced in eleven years of gaming (coming second only to the vehicular carnage game Carmageddon, lo, these many years ago).You may need to hit the forums to figure out how to do this or that, but when the game is working as it should, it is fast, gorgeous, and a metric ton of fun.

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Product Description:
Test Drive Unlimited is the only game that immerses you into the car and bike enthusiast lifestyle, with total freedom to race however and wherever you want within a huge, online­persistent environment. Visit the most sophisticated car dealers to purchase new vehicles or simply take them for a spin. Customize each vehicle to make it one-of-a-kind. Test Drive Unlimited challenges players online to experience the most exotic and fastest vehicles on more than 1000 miles of diverse Hawaiian roads. Gamers earn master points for driving, airtime, drifts and winning races which leads to unlocking new races and challenges.

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Star Ocean: Second Evolution Review

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(More customer reviews)Star Ocean strikes again, this time accompanying the very first Star Ocean, which was never released to North America. Those returning to this game will find the game they remembered. Newcomers will find an enormous RPG, full of continents to explore, hundreds of enemies to vanquish, and an engaging storyline to digest.

In the previous adventure (First Departure, also for PSP), four heroes banished evil from their continuum and restored peace to their separate worlds. Now, Ronyx's son, Claude, is unintentionally sent to a primitive planet, Expel, upon investagation of a barren plane. There, he meets a young girl, Rena, an odd looking villager with mysterious healing powers. He soon learns that her world is in danger.

Before his arrival on Expel, a shimmering meteorite slammed into Expel. With its coming came forth hordes of monsters that rampaged the surface. Claude, after using a light gun, is proclaimed by Rena's village to be the "Hero of Light," the one who is destined to deliver them from this evil invasion. Soon, Rena and Claude depart on their great adventure to put a stop to, not only sinister creatures overtaking Expel, but to a divine conspiracy that has silently raged for centuries and centuries.

In your journey, you will meet up to ten different characters, whom you can choose to accompany you on your mission, including three secret ones and many who can be added at the price of another. Another feature unique to the Star Ocean series is Item Creation. Here, you can do almost anything you can think of: create your own custom weapons, cook delicious food, conduct alchemy to make precious stones out of iron, and forge jewelry.

The battles themselves are also rather exclusive to the series. It's in real time: there's no polite attacking in this game. You and your battle party are free to roam the battle area as you see fit, whether if it's to close in on an enemy or to gain distance between you and your attacker so you can summon a spell. Leveling up is a huge part of this game, so be prepared to do a lot of it. When you leave one area and go to another on the World Map, you may suddenly find yourself 10 levels behind your enemies --- not a good place to find yourself. With every level up you get, you also get money (FOL, as it's called here), experience points, and something else special: Skill Points.

See, with the whole Item Creation idea, you need to do several things before you can gain skills. First, you need to buy the sets in various towns in the Skill Guild. Then, you need to gain enough skill points to level up your chosen character in the skill you want he/she to have. When you accumulate enough skills, you learn a Specialty. It sounds quite complicated, but it's really quite simple when you get into the menu.

Another good thing I found about this version of the game. The voice actors are incredible: it really brought something new to the game, a charm it didn't have before. Most were improved greatly from the PSOne actors. It's not a buy-or-not feature, but it was a new delight to a returning lover of this game.

Bottom line? If you're at all like me, and you played this game so much, so religiously, that you actually wore out the PSOne discs, buy this game. If you have never heard of Star Ocean, and if you love RPGs, and if you don't want to miss out on one of the most epic games out there, I would give serious thought to picking this up.

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Product Description:
Continuing the franchise for Star Ocean fans, Star Ocean: Second Evolution for the PSP is an enhanced remake of Star Ocean: The Second Story, and delivers the same epic storytelling and dazzling art style updated for today. Set 20 years after the events of its predecessor, Second Evolution receives special treatment in its PSP incarnation. Gamers can relive the adventure, with fully animated movies, all-new character designs, extra playable characters, fully voiced dialogues and more.


Second Evolution is an enhanced remake of Star Ocean: The Second Story, with special features for the PSP.

Fans of the series will recognize the cast of characters. View larger.

The real-time battle system keeps players immersed and engaged. View larger. The Story Unfolds
It is Space Date 366 and a young man finds himself transported by accident to an uncharted world during a survey of an underdeveloped planet. The son of a hero, with much to prove, he finds himself on the path to greatness. Meanwhile, a young girl watches disaster befalling her world and the arrival of a mysterious meteorite. She awaits the arrival of a legendary hero. A child with a good heart and the ability to use powerful magic, she awaits the savior of her world.
20 years after the events on planet Roak in the original Star Ocean, the son of the hero of the Terran Alliance is thrust back into the fray. He is known as the Hero of Light, and although the importance of his epic quest isn't to be denied, he ends up encountering a number of other characters critical to the plot, including his first partner in crime, Rena Lanford.
All New Look and Sound
Old-school fans will indeed recognize the cast of characters, although Claude, Rena, Dias, Precis, Opera, Ashton, and others are getting the benefit of revamped character designs. Animation studio Production I.G. created an all-new look for the characters in this new version of the game. Additionally, during in-game conversations, characters will now change their facial expressions depending upon their mood.
Just as in Star Ocean: First Departure, new high-quality animated cut scenes, now displayed in 16:9 wide-screen, are once again provided by animation studio Production I.G., helping bring the story to life. There are also new voice actors and extensive amounts of new, fully-voiced dialogue, as well as the opening song Start, performed by Scandal.
Exciting New Gameplay
Star Ocean: Second Evolution has been completely rebuilt for the PSP system, with a revised game engine, and an improved real-time battle system that will keep players immersed in the action. As always the private action system adds depth to the story, introducing riveting subplots between characters. In Second Evolution, more private actions have been added allowing characters to interact in new and exciting ways. Other characters degree of feelings for you will affect how they act towards you, how they assist you in battle, and could even alter the end of the game.


Second Story features extensive amounts of fully-voiced dialogue.

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