MediaCoder Full Edition Gets Updated

I’m always on the hunt for the ultimate media encoder, something that will allow me to convert various movie formats for use on my Xbox 360, PS3 or iPhone. One of the better options is MediaCoder, as it supports just about everything you can think of. Better yet, it’s fast and stable, two key features I like in my media encoders. Oh, and it’s free!

MediaCoder received a nice little update this morning that fixes several issues, including:

[fix] MEncoder loading issue in some occasions

/> [fix] raw video encoding not usable bug

/> [fix] OGG not muxed in MKV issue

/> [fix] H.264 not muxed in F4V issue

/> [fix] Xvid in AVI fourcc issue

/> [fix] MKVMerge not working in x64 edition

/> [update] x264 r1442

Here are some of the key specs of MediaCoder:

Typical applications:

/> – Improving compression / reducing file size

/> – Converting from lossless/high-bitrate audio to low-bitrate audio to play with portable DAP

/> – Converting to device (mobile phone, PDA, MP4 player, PSP, VCD/DVD player)

/> – Extracting audio tracks from video clips

/> – Ripping CD/VCD/DVD

Supported source formats:

/> – Audio: MP3, OGG/Vorbis, AAC, MusePack, WMA, RealAudio, FLAC, WavPack, APE/APL, WAV

/> – Video: AVI (Xvid/DivX/H.264), MPEG1/2/4, QuickTime (mov), WMV/ASF, RealMedia (rmvb), MP4, Matroska (mkv)

/> CUE Sheets, CD, VCD, DVD

Supported target audio formats:

/> – Lossy: MP3, OGG/Vorbis, AAC, AAC+/Parametric Stereo, MusePack, WMA

/> – Lossless: FLAC, WavPack, Monkey’s Audio (APE), WMA Lossless, WAV

Supported target video formats:

/> – H.264, Xvid, DivX 4/5, MPEG1/2/4, H.263 etc.

Supported target container formats:

/> – AVI, MPEG, Matroska, MP4, PMP (PSP Media Player Format)

Download MediaCoder

ArmA II 1.05 Patch Now Available, Adds More Fixes and New Features

ArmA II, a great game underneath the voluminous bugs and clunky engine, is finally seeing some patch 1.05 love. This latest patch addresses a ton of needed fixes and even adds a few bonus features that will hopefully bring a smile to your face. ArmA II has been sitting on my hard drive since the day it was released, waiting eagerly for some sign of solid playability. Perhaps the day has finally come.

Here’s the scoop:

* Free bonus campaign Eagle Wing
* Free bonus helicopter addon AH-64D
* New Warfare multiplayer mode When Diplomacy Fails, including 3-sides and support for diplomacy between factions
* Major AI tweaking and balancing (better combat cooperation, better situational awareness, new Suppressive fire command)
*Significant performance improvements, especially in large cities
* Fixed compatibility problems under Windows Vista and Windows 7 x64 with 8 GB and more RAM
* Grass now provides concealment also in distance
* Improved hit detection and damage system
* Improved object visibility and less significant objects popping in distance
* Improved mouse input handling
* Spatial sound improvements
* Automatic launching of user made addons (units, missions etc.) via “pbo” file association with the game
* Possibility to switch between windowed and fullscreen mode at any time in game menus using Alt + Enter or through video options
* Various crash opportunities fixed
* Linux server support added
* New GUI to various dedicated server settings
* New GUI for multiplayer commands
* Enabled commanding during story conversations
* FreeTrack support using FreeTrackClient.dll
* DRM free for users of legitimate installs
* Optional BattlEye anti-cheat protection
* Airplane Heads-Up displays reworked
* And more…

Update 1.05 incorporates all fixes included in previous patches, most notable are:

* Improved multiplayer and cooperative campaign (saving games, connection issues)
* Numerous fixes and improvements in the Harvest Red campaign
* Mission editor improvements
* Many new scripting functions
* Improved AI driving skills
* Improved Micro AI tactics, attack in pairs, path limiting to avoid passing through walls.
* Fixed multiplayer session NAT negotiation
* Multiple save slots supported
* Improved terrain shape beyond map borders

Patch is 250 megabytes in size and is compatible with all versions.

You can download the patch here.

ARMA 2 Patch 1.05 Detailed

ARMA 2, the massive tactical-shooter from Bohemia Interactive that unfortunately shipped in a criminally broken state, is slowly getting its shit together. As of now, the game is fairly playable, much faster and most of the things that should work actually work. Fortunately, the devs aren’t sitting around as they continue to fix and enhance the game, evidenced by the recent announcement of patch 1.05, which should be released in late December.

Patch 1.05 Details:

As a continuous commitment to its dedicated fans, Bohemia Interactive, an award winning independent development studio, and IDEA Games, an association of independent developers located in the Czech Republic, today release an exclusive sneak peek teaser video together with pack of four screenshots introducing the forthcoming patch which will upgrade the military simulator ARMA 2 to version 1.05.

The video, available for download at www.arma2.com, introduces the bonus campaign “Eagle Wing“ featuring the new AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. The “Eagle Wing“ mini-campaign expands upon one of the seven unique endings of the original ARMA 2 over two extensive new levels; It’s the year 2012, the war in Chernarus has overgrown into a conflict between the USA and the Russian Federation. The player finds themselves caught in the middle of an escalating conflict. As a pilot of the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, the player’s task seems easy – to get behind enemy lines and attack. However the situation is about to change rapidly…

Amongst other things the 1.05 patch features a new warfare mode “When Diplomacy Fails”, including 3-side support for diplomacy between all factions allowing players to enjoy the strategic part of the game in a size never seen before. Warfare mode is a unique gaming experience first introduced in ARMA: Armed Assault. The mode combines tactical FPS gameplay with strategic elements which allow players to either join the fight in the front lines attacking the enemy directly, or to crush them in a commander position giving orders to other players whilst managing resources and the main base. Moreover each player is allowed to lead his own squad. Up to 32 players are supported, this multiplayer mode is a true war experience.

“At Bohemia Interactive we make a continuous commitment to support our products. This latest update 1.05 reaffirms our commitment to ARMA 2 and our community at large: it includes the free downloadable content as our way of saying thank you to all those who buy our games and provide us support and feedback from around the globe. We continue to be amazed by the many ways our community is constantly expanding on our game with addons, mods and usermade missions. With this level of continued activity surrounding our game it’s our pleasure to be able to support it this extensively post-launch.“ said Marek Spanel, Bohemia´s CEO.

ARMA 2 patch 1.05 will be released later in December 2009. Stay tuned and visit the ARMA 2 homepage at www.arma2.com for the latest Intel.

Sprint pulls piping hot Hero update out of the oven

We don’t have details on exactly what has changed yet, but that minor Android 1.5-based update Sprint had announced it’d be pushing out to the Hero has now launched. The best-case scenario would have the SMS issue — which causes the phone to stay awake when it shouldn’t — get resolved, but until Sprint hands out a proper changelog, it’ll be a matter of testing and guessing. Just a thought: if they’ve managed to squeeze a proximity sensor into the update, that brings ‘em up to the speed with the Droid Eris. Hey, it could happen.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Sprint pulls piping hot Hero update out of the oven originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

PS3 firmware 3.10 released with Facebook support, ‘richer’ trolling experience

Continue reading PS3 firmware 3.10 released with Facebook support, ‘richer’ trolling experience

Filed under: Gaming

PS3 firmware 3.10 released with Facebook support, ‘richer’ trolling experience originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chaos, Help, and Gratitude

This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Behind the scribble with Scribblenauts

Sure, the Nintendo Channel may have received quite the facelift today, adding a host of new features and tossing a much needed fresh coat of paint on top of it all, but the best and brightest of the new content on offer is undoubtedly the behind the scenes look at Scribblenauts. We say this because, well, everything Scribblenauts wins. Sorry, interesting and informative Dead Space Extraction video! You picked the wrong week to be new.

Anywho, if you’ve got a Wii, check out the Nintendo Channel for a bunch of new content. Or, if you’re lazy and want to know what’s there before booting up the system, head past the break where we’ve got you covered, baby!

Continue reading This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Behind the scribble with Scribblenauts

This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Behind the scribble with Scribblenauts originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Empire: Total War to Get Major Naval Combat Overhaul

With the 1.3 patch behind them, Creative Assembly is now focusing on overhauling naval combat. Real-time 3D naval battles was a new addition to the Total War franchise but its implementation left a lot of players feeling a little cold. It looked great, but it played shallow.

Here is what we can expect in the forthcoming 1.4 patch, straight from the developer:

Empire introduced real-time naval battles to the Total War series for the first time. The reaction to them on the forum has generally been very positive, and we are very proud of our first foray into naval warfare.

However as they are our first effort, naturally we feel we could do more. Therefore one of the things we’re focussing on in update 1.4 is naval battle balancing.

Whilst on the land you have quite clear lines between different unit types, naval battles at releasing were mostly lacking in that area, there was no rock, paper, scissor balance. Whilst there were differences, they were not really big enough to encourage mixed fleets.

So for update 1.4 there has been a rebalancing of ships to create greater diversity between different ship types along with improving the overall game play of the battles.

The balance that now exists for naval battles is like this:

Ships of the Line beat Frigates who beat Small Ships who beat Ships of the Line who beat Ships of the Line

Now of course this is not the complete extent of it. Ships of the Line are still the best at taking on other Ships of the Line. Special ships such as rocket ships, bomb ketches and galleys fill special niches on the battlefield.

This new balance has been achieved by adjusting the hull strength, marksmanship (accuracy), reload rate, ranges, morale and damage of various ships.

The ship types now work like this:

Ships of the Line
Pros:
- Best morale
- Strongest hulls
- Best firepower

Cons:
- Slow speed
- Large turning circle
- Low accuracy and slow reload time
- Shorter range guns

Frigates
Pros:
- Good accuracy and reload speed
- Long range guns
- Good speed and turning rate

Cons
- Relatively weak hulls
- Not much firepower

Small Ships (sloops and brings)
Pros:
- Fastest ships
- Very manoeuvrable
- Best accuracy and reload time
- Long range guns like frigates

Cons:
- Very weak hulls
- Lowest amount of firepower

Now of course there is variance within each ship type, and especially within Ships of the Line there are now more noticeable differences in firepower and other stats between ships such as 4th rates and 3rd rates.

And with the above changes, you can see how the new balance dynamic works. Ships of the Line are very strong and have large amounts of firepower, but low accuracy, slow turn speed and lower range compared to frigates and small ships makes them vulnerable to fast small ships like sloops. Frigates are also a threat, but being bigger targets than small ships means they are vulnerable if they wander into the Ships of the Line range.

Small ships, being very fast and manoeuvrable can keep at range of Ships of the Line and hit them with their longer guns whilst out-turning them. As chain shot has received a boost in damage, even with their low amount of fire power ships such as sloops can be a threat to even the biggest Ships of the Line. It may take a few of them or a long time, but they can wear them down.

Frigates sit in between the other two types. Still fast and nimble, they have long range guns like the small ships. But because they are bigger in size, they are more vulnerable against Ships of the Line if they wander into their gun range. They have good accuracy and quite quick reload rate, and this combined with their nimble nature allows them to take on the even fast sloops and brigs.

All ships have been adjusted to have overall more accurate gun types, and the sterns of all ships have been weakened a lot in order to make raking shots more damaging. Various modifiers have tweaked to reduce the amount of random ship sinking whilst the health bars only showed little damage. Now it is pretty much always clear when a ship is likely to sink.

The turn rate whilst stopped has also been reduced for most ships to prevent them from turning quickly on the spot and acting like turrets.

Rocket ships have also had some changes made to their rockets to make them less powerful.

—-

All these changes combined add a new dynamic to naval battles. The best fleet will still be mostly Ships of the Line with a few frigates in support, but now there is the possibility of a wider range of tactics.

So with 1.4 you will be getting a new gameplay experience for naval battles which adds a new dynamic and rock, paper, scissors element to them.

Empire: Total War to Get Major Naval Combat Overhaul

With the 1.3 patch behind them, Creative Assembly is now focusing on overhauling naval combat. Real-time 3D naval battles was a new addition to the Total War franchise but its implementation left a lot of players feeling a little cold. It looked great, but it played shallow.

Here is what we can expect in the forthcoming 1.4 patch, straight from the developer:

Empire introduced real-time naval battles to the Total War series for the first time. The reaction to them on the forum has generally been very positive, and we are very proud of our first foray into naval warfare.

However as they are our first effort, naturally we feel we could do more. Therefore one of the things we’re focussing on in update 1.4 is naval battle balancing.

Whilst on the land you have quite clear lines between different unit types, naval battles at releasing were mostly lacking in that area, there was no rock, paper, scissor balance. Whilst there were differences, they were not really big enough to encourage mixed fleets.

So for update 1.4 there has been a rebalancing of ships to create greater diversity between different ship types along with improving the overall game play of the battles.

The balance that now exists for naval battles is like this:

Ships of the Line beat Frigates who beat Small Ships who beat Ships of the Line who beat Ships of the Line

Now of course this is not the complete extent of it. Ships of the Line are still the best at taking on other Ships of the Line. Special ships such as rocket ships, bomb ketches and galleys fill special niches on the battlefield.

This new balance has been achieved by adjusting the hull strength, marksmanship (accuracy), reload rate, ranges, morale and damage of various ships.

The ship types now work like this:

Ships of the Line
Pros:
- Best morale
- Strongest hulls
- Best firepower

Cons:
- Slow speed
- Large turning circle
- Low accuracy and slow reload time
- Shorter range guns

Frigates
Pros:
- Good accuracy and reload speed
- Long range guns
- Good speed and turning rate

Cons
- Relatively weak hulls
- Not much firepower

Small Ships (sloops and brings)
Pros:
- Fastest ships
- Very manoeuvrable
- Best accuracy and reload time
- Long range guns like frigates

Cons:
- Very weak hulls
- Lowest amount of firepower

Now of course there is variance within each ship type, and especially within Ships of the Line there are now more noticeable differences in firepower and other stats between ships such as 4th rates and 3rd rates.

And with the above changes, you can see how the new balance dynamic works. Ships of the Line are very strong and have large amounts of firepower, but low accuracy, slow turn speed and lower range compared to frigates and small ships makes them vulnerable to fast small ships like sloops. Frigates are also a threat, but being bigger targets than small ships means they are vulnerable if they wander into the Ships of the Line range.

Small ships, being very fast and manoeuvrable can keep at range of Ships of the Line and hit them with their longer guns whilst out-turning them. As chain shot has received a boost in damage, even with their low amount of fire power ships such as sloops can be a threat to even the biggest Ships of the Line. It may take a few of them or a long time, but they can wear them down.

Frigates sit in between the other two types. Still fast and nimble, they have long range guns like the small ships. But because they are bigger in size, they are more vulnerable against Ships of the Line if they wander into their gun range. They have good accuracy and quite quick reload rate, and this combined with their nimble nature allows them to take on the even fast sloops and brigs.

All ships have been adjusted to have overall more accurate gun types, and the sterns of all ships have been weakened a lot in order to make raking shots more damaging. Various modifiers have tweaked to reduce the amount of random ship sinking whilst the health bars only showed little damage. Now it is pretty much always clear when a ship is likely to sink.

The turn rate whilst stopped has also been reduced for most ships to prevent them from turning quickly on the spot and acting like turrets.

Rocket ships have also had some changes made to their rockets to make them less powerful.

—-

All these changes combined add a new dynamic to naval battles. The best fleet will still be mostly Ships of the Line with a few frigates in support, but now there is the possibility of a wider range of tactics.

So with 1.4 you will be getting a new gameplay experience for naval battles which adds a new dynamic and rock, paper, scissors element to them.

Wii System Menu updated to 3.5 in Korea

A preview of what’s on the way for the rest of the world: four months after 3.4, Nintendo has sent out Wii System Menu version 3.5 in Korea. The specific feature changes are as yet unknown, but in terms of security updates, it includes IOS254 code, which, like IOS9, blocks the use of the PatchMii program (a custom update manager tool).

The new menu apparently adds some kind of updates to the Shop Channel, and adds a “Region Select Channel,” which the Wiibrew wiki suggests is nowhere near as exciting as it sounds. Until we find out for certain that this somehow blocks new installations of the Homebrew Channel, or removes existing ones, we’re going to refrain from panicking. And even in that case, we don’t mind waiting a week or so for someone to fix it.

Wii System Menu updated to 3.5 in Korea originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Next Page »

• Categories

  • Wii News

• Pages

  • About

• Archives

  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
• 

• Recent Posts

  • Valve Teasing Steam Client for Mac?
  • Run with Busy Scissors on DS and Wii
  • Silicon Sleeve for Wii Remote with Motion Plus - Clear (Accessory) newly tagged wii
  • Valve Teasing Steam Client for Mac?
  • SanDisk Ultra II SDHC 32GB Card (Electronics) newly tagged wii

• Top 10 Best Selling Games

  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

• Tags

  action activision adventure Archive business capcom dlc dsi dsiware e3-2009 ea europe FEATURE fighting Guitar Hero harmonix home hudson japan joystiqfeatures konami mario mtv-games music namco-bandai News Nintendo nintendo-dsi Nintendo Wii PREVIEW puzzle REVIEW Reviews rhythm rock-band rock-band-2 rpg sales sega square-enix Top Story ubisoft uk Virtual Console WiiWare

• Blogroll

  • Age of Conan
  • Apple News
  • Asia Travel
  • Body jewelry
  • Eat near you
  • Game pet
  • Game pig
  • gift shop
  • learn chinese
  • MMORPG News
  • Mobile News
  • Pc Gaming
  • PSP news
  • Web Design
  • Wii News
  • wow gold
  • WOW GOLD
  • wow gold de
  • wow gold fr
  • Xbox 360

• Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.org