Here’s a look at some hardware and software that’s available:
Dead Man’s Hand from Atari, for Xbox, rated T: content suitable for ages 13 and older, $29.99. This first-person shooting adventure melds the spaghetti Western with Robert Rodriguez-inspired action as a heroic gunslinger named El Tejon travels across 19th-century America to exact revenge on a band of nasty outlaws.
The game tries hard to entertain through several features: A player’s munitions and health are determined, in part, by enjoying rounds of poker before entering the missions; 25 types of authentic period weaponry can be chosen; an excellent soundtrack is offered; and the protagonist can take down enemies through a variety of means — shooting off his hat, shooting a wooden platform from under him or picking off a powder keg to blast him into eternity.
Unfortunately, this hombre never could quite master the aiming system, which resulted in El Tejon’s taking more damage than he dished out. Still, fans of the violent Wild West should give the title a try.
PL-957 Pro System Selector by Pelican, stand-alone unit for gaming and entertainment systems, $99.99. Serious video-game players and those who love on-screen entertainment but are befuddled by the yards of wire and various patch cords needed to plug all their components into the television can reduce their stress quickly with this handy patch bay that bundles all console choices into one-touch access.
The size of a slim briefcase, the magical black box offers eight input areas (seven from the rear of the unit and one accessible via a hidden front panel) for audio-video, S-video and component video along with three broadband (ethernet) inputs for the online gamer and three optical digital outputs to accommodate almost any entertainment device’s configuration.
In non-tech terms, that means an Xbox, DVD player, PlayStation 2, VCR, computer and satellite dish all can be plugged directly and permanently into the PL-957 with only one set of wires left to be plugged into the viewing monitor. Then, using back-lighted select buttons, entertainment junkies can click on any of the labeled buttons, and their choice will come to life on the monitor.
The unit comes with an AC adapter, extra nameplates and a set of component video cords to get the multimedia festivities going.
Step into Liquid by Artisan Home Entertainment, for DVD-enabled computers and home entertainment centers, rated PG, $24.99. A relatively obscure theatrical release touting the merits of tackling monstrous waves on a piece of wood arrives on DVD in a two-disc set that helps set the standard for melding computer, video game and DVD.
Expect this edition to make more than the $3.7 million the film pulled in at theaters, as it caters to multiple demographics who appreciate surfing — the people who live the sport and the contradictory lifestyle of ultrarelaxed characters engaging in extremely dangerous antics.
Viewers with a large-screen television first can appreciate the 87-minute documentary by Dana Brown (which should be seen and not heard because of annoying commentary and loud music), including extras such as surf lessons, a glossary and a chance to see the creation of a surfboard.
Tech dudes should immediately pop the second disc into their Windows XP-based computer systems for the virtual ride of their lives. It begins with a documentary in the Windows Media 9 high-definition format, which offers three times the resolution of a standard DVD presentation.
Next, the full version of Activision’s acclaimed Kelly Slater’s Pro Surfer video game can be tackled. The game’s action has multiple players tricking out on oceans around the world through 30 levels of dripping action, complete with the ability to customize surfers and their equipment.
Additionally, using Keyhole’s geospatial databases, users can visit top wave hangouts found in the film, presented in gorgeous 3-D aerial imagery, and then try a free seven-day Web trial of viewing highly detailed satellite imagery from around the globe.
Finally, surfboard maker Robert August offers an interactive video tutorial. Answer seven questions to select of one of his famed products.
The surf is way up in this release — and so is the benchmark of the DVD revolution.
Write to Joseph Szadkowski, The Washington Times, 3600 New York Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002; or send e-mail (jszadkowski@washington times.com).
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