Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Breaking the law: one-third of US residents rip DVDs

By Jacqui Cheng

One-third of consumers in the US and UK have made a copy of a DVD within the last six months, according to a report from Futuresource Consulting. The firm surveyed 3,613 people in the US and 1,718 in the UK to discover their "home piracy" habits, and attempts to paint a somewhat ugly picture of casual copyright infringement even though a majority of users who make copies are doing so "legitimately" (for personal use).

36 percent of UK respondents and 32 percent of US respondents have made a copy of a DVD within the last six months, which Futuresource says is an increase from only a quarter of survey respondents in 2007. Respondents in the UK who copied DVDs primarily made copies of movies and TV shows, although movie copying dropped between 2007 and 2008 while TV copying went up.

Unsurprisingly, the preferred method of copying DVDs were some of the simplest. Roughly a quarter of both UK and US consumers who made copies of DVDs connected a DVD player to a DVD recorder using a composite/S-Video cable, while roughly another quarter of the two groups preferred using a single PC application for burning DVD copies.

Futuresource notes, however, that some 62 percent of US users and 49 percent of those in the UK are making "legitimate" copies of their own new release DVDs that they purchased. 58 percent and 54 percent of those who made copies of older movies made copies of their own DVDs too. Although the numbers for burned DVDs from those that were rented or borrowed are nothing to sneeze at, the large majority of those surveyed appear to be doing what they believe they have a legal right to do.

Of the remaining group (those who borrowed or rented the DVDs), Futuresource asked whether these consumers would have purchased a DVD if they were unable to make a copy. 63 percent of UK respondents and 77 percent of US respondents saying that they would have purchased at least "a few" of the titles, which Futuresource says is evidence of the "scale of the lost revenues to the home video industry from home copying."

Hollywood has been trying to find ways to stop DVD copying since the dawn of the format, even though the barn door is wide open and the horses have long-since vanished. The DVD Copy Control Association lost a lawsuit last year against Kaleidescape for producing a $10,000 home media server that ripped customers' DVDs for storage and playback. The judge ruled in Kaleidescape's favor because she said the company was in full compliance with the DVD CCA's CSS license, which the organization later attempted to modify (twice) in order to close the loophole. Then, of course, there's the entire drama over the AACS copy protection used on HD DVD and Blu-ray discs, which has been hacked to bits so many times.

However, Big Content is certainly known for its tenacity in attempting to keep content locked down. Despite the fact that the majority of DVD copying is for purely personal use, Futuresource's report will surely be used by the industry as further justification for strict DRM schemes and lawsuits against users.

Computers and Technology

Technological Tattoos



There has always been the Microsoft vs Apple rivalry. Some people show their devotion by tattooing their support right onto themselves.


Computers and Technology

Online Computer Store


What's better than a reliable online computer parts store? A reliable online computer parts store that has fast delivery and the best service! At BTE Computers, you can find a huge variety of computer parts. There are weeky specials and they are always up to date with the newest products and techonology. They provide computer services such computer system customization and they also have pre-built configurations available as well. Everything is brand new and the price range suits any budget. If you are looking for a desktop PC, laptop, notebook, or just some computer hardware, you can trust BTE Computers for fast and reliable delivery of your online order.



Computer hardware of the day:

Logitech G7 Cordless Laser Mouse

The new G7 Laser features a Full Speed USB bi-directional interface which enables a full 500 USB reports per second and 2000 dpi resolution. It utilizes the 2.4GHz frequency band for smooth and reliable communication during heave gaming firefights. Dead batteries won't stop you mid-mission, thanks to a five-level battery charge indicator and twin "hot-swappable" Li-ion battery packs.

What is this?
The new G7 Laser features a Full Speed USB bi-directional interface which enables a full 500 USB reports per second and 2000 dpi resolution. It utilizes the 2.4GHz frequency band for smooth and reliable communication during heave gaming firefights. Dead batteries won't stop you mid-mission, thanks to a five-level battery charge indicator and twin "hot-swappable" Li-ion battery packs.

Logitech G7 Laser Cordless Mouse
Logitech G7 Laser Cordless Mouse Review October 27th, 2005

Pros: Awesome wireless performance; hot swappable batteries with battery indicator; quick charge mode; DPI switching, profiles.
Cons: Only one thumb button; stiff Mouse3.
Verdict: One mouse to rule them all, one mouse to taunt them. One mouse to cut the cords and in the freedom frag them.

A wireless mouse and gaming? The two terms never went well together, a paradox constantly laughed at by the gaming community at large. Between problems with latency, accuracy, interference, and that pesky sleep mode, the two could never get along. Things have changed significantly over time however, and now Logitech is the first company to release a wireless mouse actually intended for gaming. Could this really be the one mouse to change it all? Read on to see.

Package Content
- Logitech G7 Wireless Laser Mouse
- 2 600 mAh Li-Ion battery packs
- Desktop USB stand / charging Station
- 2.4GHz receiver
- SetPoint 2.4 install CD
- Quickstart guide

Solid Foundation
Logitech's G7 Laser Cordless Mouse builds upon the classic bean-shaped form factor introduced with the MX500 for a comfortable right-handed grip. The color scheme of the G7 is visually pleasing silver with green grips, and a smooth finish that feels exactly like the Gaming-Grade MX518 I reviewed previously. The only downside to this is the grips are no longer rubberized, so gamers with sweaty palms might accidentally have the mouse slip in the middle of extended gaming sessions. As a gamer with dry hands, this isn't really an issue.

Almost everything about the G7 is identical to its also-reviewed wired counterpart, the G5. The underside of the G7 bears three oversized PTFE (Teflon) pads to reduce friction across surfaces - two on the poles of the mouse and one under the thumb. This makes for excellent gliding across surfaces, and works marvelously on hard mouse pads, literally skating across the pad when nudged.

Exercising the Digits
The button placement is also identical to that of the Logitech G5, with two DPI switching buttons placed directly below the tilt wheel, and only one button placed above the thumb rest suitable for grenades and melee attacks. The lack of a forward thumb button is explained away by gamers' requests for a single, sure-hit button so they don't hit the wrong one in the middle of a firefight.

Again, I'm not so happy with this decision since both buttons could be bound to the same function if someone seriously can't find the right button (is it really that hard??), but thankfully Logitech says that it will most likely make a return in a future product. They went on to say that for every complaint to remove the forward button, Logitech has received about 5 complaints to bring it back. If the G5's drivers were any indicator, Logitech really does listen to feedback.

On the review unit I received, the G7's mouse wheel is somewhat defective in the sense that clicking down on the wheel (Mouse3/Zoom) doesn't' actually produce a tactile "click", although it does activate. On the plus side, it takes less force to activate and I haven't accidentally side-scrolled like I encountered with the G5. When I called Logitech asking if this was intentional, I was told that the mouse wheel should actually click.

In any event, because the two directions of tilting can be programmed to any key, you could always set the tilt wheel to middle click when pushed to one direction, and act as the missing forward key when pushed in the other direction. The tilt wheel, along with every other button on the G7 can also be set to perform different functions like keystrokes, remembering individual settings per game and application via profiles.

Like the numerous other gaming mouse on the market today, the G7 has DPI switching on-the-fly to change the sensitivity in game, perfect for making quick turns in fast-paced environments and then scaling back for more accurate kills, without the need for an oversized mouse pad. Without drivers, the G7 comes with three steps of 400, 800, and 2000 DPI, but once SetPoint is installed the sensitivity can be scaled to any resolution from 400-2000 in 50 dpi increments with up to resolutions defined. Sensitivity on the X and Y axis can be independent of each other too, if that's your thing. A visual indicator on the left side of the G7 will display which of the five DPI steps is currently active.

Wireless that Works
The first time I picked up a wireless mouse for gaming, I was traumatized. Not only were the movements of the mouse extremely laggy, but when I was sniping, I had to constantly move the mouse slightly to prevent it from going to sleep for several seconds. Needless to say I returned the mouse promptly and bought a wired one. That was four years ago, and today I still can't use a Wireless IntelliMouse, and while I can scrape by with the MX610 when it's working, it would still go to sleep when I was sniping.

Remembering how useless a wireless mouse was, I was shocked to find that the wireless aspect of the G7 is absolutely flawless. There's zero noticeable lag in any of the fast moving games like Quake IV, and I was amazed at the precision of the mouse after racking up 6 "Impressive!" awards in a single deathmatch for using the rail-gun. Defending a zone in Raven Shield is much less stressful since I don't have to move the mouse for a full minute before it enters sleep mode. If the G7 were snag on something every now and then, it could pass as a wired mouse. There's practically no difference anymore.

A small 2.4GHz receiver can either be plugged into the side of a computer, or preferably into the included desktop USB stand to place it away from other electronic devices that could cause interference. And unlike the other 2.4GHz mouse from Logitech I reviewed, I did not encounter any interference throughout my month of testing. The desktop stand also doubles as a battery charger, simultaneously charging one battery while the second battery is actively engaging the enemies on-screen.

The batteries are quite ingenious. Only 18 grams, the 600 mAh packs are more than twice as light as two AA batteries, and they share the same form factor as the G5's weight cartridge to quickly slide in and out of the G7's base at the press of a button. I get about 7 or 8 hours of continuous gameplay when I'm at a LAN party, and about 2-3 days worth of power when I'm just working.

To tell how much juice is left, just stop moving the mouse and the orange DPI indicator will fade to a green battery indicator. Additionally, in the SetPoint drivers it's possible to specify an on-screen warning when the battery is anywhere from 5-30% full capacity.


What is this?
The new G7 Laser features a Full Speed USB bi-directional interface which enables a full 500 USB reports per second and 2000 dpi resolution. It utilizes the 2.4GHz frequency band for smooth and reliable communication during heave gaming firefights. Dead batteries won't stop you mid-mission, thanks to a five-level battery charge indicator and twin "hot-swappable" Li-ion battery packs.

Logitech G7 Laser Cordless Mouse
Logitech G7 Laser Cordless Mouse Review October 27th, 2005

Pros: Awesome wireless performance; hot swappable batteries with battery indicator; quick charge mode; DPI switching, profiles.
Cons: Only one thumb button; stiff Mouse3.
Verdict: One mouse to rule them all, one mouse to taunt them. One mouse to cut the cords and in the freedom frag them.

A wireless mouse and gaming? The two terms never went well together, a paradox constantly laughed at by the gaming community at large. Between problems with latency, accuracy, interference, and that pesky sleep mode, the two could never get along. Things have changed significantly over time however, and now Logitech is the first company to release a wireless mouse actually intended for gaming. Could this really be the one mouse to change it all? Read on to see.

Package Content
- Logitech G7 Wireless Laser Mouse
- 2 600 mAh Li-Ion battery packs
- Desktop USB stand / charging Station
- 2.4GHz receiver
- SetPoint 2.4 install CD
- Quickstart guide

Solid Foundation
Logitech's G7 Laser Cordless Mouse builds upon the classic bean-shaped form factor introduced with the MX500 for a comfortable right-handed grip. The color scheme of the G7 is visually pleasing silver with green grips, and a smooth finish that feels exactly like the Gaming-Grade MX518 I reviewed previously. The only downside to this is the grips are no longer rubberized, so gamers with sweaty palms might accidentally have the mouse slip in the middle of extended gaming sessions. As a gamer with dry hands, this isn't really an issue.


Almost everything about the G7 is identical to its also-reviewed wired counterpart, the G5. The underside of the G7 bears three oversized PTFE (Teflon) pads to reduce friction across surfaces - two on the poles of the mouse and one under the thumb. This makes for excellent gliding across surfaces, and works marvelously on hard mouse pads, literally skating across the pad when nudged.

Exercising the Digits
The button placement is also identical to that of the Logitech G5, with two DPI switching buttons placed directly below the tilt wheel, and only one button placed above the thumb rest suitable for grenades and melee attacks. The lack of a forward thumb button is explained away by gamers' requests for a single, sure-hit button so they don't hit the wrong one in the middle of a firefight.

Again, I'm not so happy with this decision since both buttons could be bound to the same function if someone seriously can't find the right button (is it really that hard??), but thankfully Logitech says that it will most likely make a return in a future product. They went on to say that for every complaint to remove the forward button, Logitech has received about 5 complaints to bring it back. If the G5's drivers were any indicator, Logitech really does listen to feedback.

On the review unit I received, the G7's mouse wheel is somewhat defective in the sense that clicking down on the wheel (Mouse3/Zoom) doesn't' actually produce a tactile "click", although it does activate. On the plus side, it takes less force to activate and I haven't accidentally side-scrolled like I encountered with the G5. When I called Logitech asking if this was intentional, I was told that the mouse wheel should actually click.

In any event, because the two directions of tilting can be programmed to any key, you could always set the tilt wheel to middle click when pushed to one direction, and act as the missing forward key when pushed in the other direction. The tilt wheel, along with every other button on the G7 can also be set to perform different functions like keystrokes, remembering individual settings per game and application via profiles.


Like the numerous other gaming mouse on the market today, the G7 has DPI switching on-the-fly to change the sensitivity in game, perfect for making quick turns in fast-paced environments and then scaling back for more accurate kills, without the need for an oversized mouse pad. Without drivers, the G7 comes with three steps of 400, 800, and 2000 DPI, but once SetPoint is installed the sensitivity can be scaled to any resolution from 400-2000 in 50 dpi increments with up to resolutions defined. Sensitivity on the X and Y axis can be independent of each other too, if that's your thing. A visual indicator on the left side of the G7 will display which of the five DPI steps is currently active.


Wireless that Works
The first time I picked up a wireless mouse for gaming, I was traumatized. Not only were the movements of the mouse extremely laggy, but when I was sniping, I had to constantly move the mouse slightly to prevent it from going to sleep for several seconds. Needless to say I returned the mouse promptly and bought a wired one. That was four years ago, and today I still can't use a Wireless IntelliMouse, and while I can scrape by with the MX610 when it's working, it would still go to sleep when I was sniping.

Remembering how useless a wireless mouse was, I was shocked to find that the wireless aspect of the G7 is absolutely flawless. There's zero noticeable lag in any of the fast moving games like Quake IV, and I was amazed at the precision of the mouse after racking up 6 "Impressive!" awards in a single deathmatch for using the rail-gun. Defending a zone in Raven Shield is much less stressful since I don't have to move the mouse for a full minute before it enters sleep mode. If the G7 were snag on something every now and then, it could pass as a wired mouse. There's practically no difference anymore.

A small 2.4GHz receiver can either be plugged into the side of a computer, or preferably into the included desktop USB stand to place it away from other electronic devices that could cause interference. And unlike the other 2.4GHz mouse from Logitech I reviewed, I did not encounter any interference throughout my month of testing. The desktop stand also doubles as a battery charger, simultaneously charging one battery while the second battery is actively engaging the enemies on-screen.

The batteries are quite ingenious. Only 18 grams, the 600 mAh packs are more than twice as light as two AA batteries, and they share the same form factor as the G5's weight cartridge to quickly slide in and out of the G7's base at the press of a button. I get about 7 or 8 hours of continuous gameplay when I'm at a LAN party, and about 2-3 days worth of power when I'm just working.

To tell how much juice is left, just stop moving the mouse and the orange DPI indicator will fade to a green battery indicator. Additionally, in the SetPoint drivers it's possible to specify an on-screen warning when the battery is anywhere from 5-30% full capacity.


When a pack runs dry, it takes just under 10 seconds for me to swap the two packs and get a fresh one in. The desktop stand can recharge a pack in approximately 10 hours, but if you're in a tournament it'd be wise to switch the charger to boost mode to draw additional power and charge a pack in two hours. Just know that this consumes more power than allocated in the USB spec, so it better be plugged into a powered hub or directly into the computer.

Recap

In short, this is the _best_ wireless mouse for gaming, hands down. No lag or interference, an extended sleep timer, and a 2000-DPI laser that can scale down to 400-DPI make the G7 as deadly as its wired counterpart. The hot-swap batteries last a fair amount of time and seeing as how there'll always be a charged pack, you'll never have to worry about battery life again. A flawed middle click and the lack of a second thumb button are disheartening, but the tilt-wheel fills their places nicely. The G7 is definitely the Mercedes of wireless mice, both in price and performance, and is heartily recommended for those who can afford it.

Computers and Technology