The scope of gaming has most definitely changed over the years.

From console to PC, gaming has become more social and with the likes of Twitch, not only can you play with friends, local or across the world, but you can also share your unique game playing moments via streaming or online video sites such as YouTube and Vimeo. Live or pre-recorded.

Logitech have the camera that will turn your vids into professional high definition productions.

The Logitech C922 Pro Stream Webcam is built for game capture and streaming. Boasting full High Definition (1920 x 1080) at 60 fps and builtin full stereo audio, the camera is essentially plug and play on Windows 10, however to get the best out of it, you will need to download the application XSplit (there is a voucher code for a three month Premium subscription included).

The C922, designed to work with XSplit, will change the way you broadcast and capture your gameplay, all the while allowing you to edit out your background with a virtual green screen while recording yourself playing.

XSplit is not the easiest of software to wrap your head around at first, until you get used to all of the functionality that is at your disposal – but after a few hours of playing around with it, you’ll be producing, broadcasting and sharing your gaming exploits to the world.

The camera itself is high end and for PC Gamers that like to hide in their darkened dungeon the C922 is optimized for low light conditions.

Naturally being a Webcam it is also ideal for messaging applications and services such as Skype, where you will experience true detail in full 1080p for conferences and video calls.

Being that it is one of Logitech’s top shelf consumer devices for PC and Mac you can expect it to be a smidgen on the pricier side. The C922 Webcam will set you back at around $199.99 (NZD). This is not the most expensive unit that we know of – so bearing this is in mind the Logitech C922 is a bargain if you consider the functionality within.

A mini Tripod is also included with the Webcam – this is a necessary addition for angle recording or needing to focus in on a wider space.

Capture, stream, broadcast, call and record. Do it all and more like a Pro with the C922.

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The post Logitech C922 Pro Stream Webcam Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Panasonic has launched their new flagship 4K Pro Smart UltraHigh Definition (UHD) DX900 television series. As a global leader in 4K UHD technology, Panasonic’s DX900 is the first LED LCD television to be awarded ‘Ultra HD Premium’ certification. It also features the latest advancements in 4K Pro UHD and High Dynamic Range (HDR) technologies. Signalling an exciting new era of television innovation for Panasonic, the DX900 will bring the ultimate cinematic experience to New Zealand homes.

It features a brand new Studio Master HCX+ chipset and revolutionary new LCD panel which delivers an outstanding 4K UHD picture quality, and Kiwis will also enjoy a more intuitive user experience. Grant Shaw, Audio Visual Group Product Manager, Panasonic New Zealand says Panasonic’s new DX900 TV series is a formidable TV that will be hard to beat for New Zealanders after a 4K and HDR TV accredited with the ‘Ultra HD Premium’ certification. “Panasonic has drawn on many years of experience to produce a new model intended to not only be the best LED-LCD TV but can also hold its own against a professional studio monitor,” says Shaw.

With the DX900 series, Panasonic has developed unique new honeycomb-structure local dimming technology, which enables the LCD screen to deliver both bright highs and deep blacks, especially when viewing HDR content. The honeycomb design divides the screen into hundreds of individually controlled ‘zones’. These zones are isolated from each other to remove light leakage, a common problem for traditional LCD televisions, which caused a ‘light halo’ effect around bright objects. These ultra-transmissive LCD cells allow the DX900 to showcase greater brightness peaks (up to 1,000 nits) across a wider portion of the screen compared to standard HDR LCD TVs. This means viewers will enjoy a more vibrant image quality which perfectly illustrates the remarkable potential of HDR content.

In addition, Panasonic’s Wide Colour Phosphor technology combines advanced LED backlighting with a new colour filter system and delivers a wider colour spectrum. Kiwis will experience nuanced and more natural colour tones, especially during dark scenes which will intensify the drama of their home entertainment experience. Central to the DX900 is a brand new chipset called Studio Master HCX+ (Hollywood Cinema Experience plus). The HCX+ processor enhances colour accuracy for content made in HDR, and also Standard Dynamic Range, by adding a new colour compensation algorithm.

The DX900 can reproduce hues and tones at every level of brightness. The range of colour and contrast with HDR has been expanded and this has resulted in significantly boosted highlights, deeper blacks and more life-like images with incredible detail in every picture scene. The DX900 is the first television to wear the UHD Alliance’s Ultra-HD Premium grade for exceeding the industry’s tough picture performance criteria for brightness, resolution, contrast, HDR performance, and more. Additionally, the DX900 has earned certification from THX Ltd. a renowned independent quality assurance group. This prestigious certification is achieved by very few televisions however the DX900 has been revered by the committee for its outstanding picture quality and accuracy.

Panasonic has also collaborated with the film community to reach new heights in delivering the most accurate colour reproduction for the DX900. The DX900 has been finely-tuned in the Panasonic Hollywood Lab in collaboration with renowned Hollywood colourist Mike Sowa, from Pirates of the Caribbean, Kill Bill, Oblivion, and The Jungle Book. Through this collaboration, Panasonic has ensured that HDR and SDR playback lives up to the original vision of the filmmaker. Alongside a suite of impressive picture quality technologies, the DX900 boasts a more powerful audio system compared to standard televisions. Its Neodymium magnet-powered speaker boxes use Quad Passive Radiators which resonate in sync with the vibrations generated by the TV’s woofer speakers. This enhances the bass and delivers a rich sound quality.

Other features of Panasonic’s DX900 TV series include a more intuitive user operation. It is powered by the new Firefox operating system which lets Kiwis easily track down their favourite TV channels, apps, videos, websites and content through the TV home screen. The home screen can also be personalised by pinning favourite apps or content to the home screen. Furthermore, the DX900 Smart TV features a large variety of easy-access content and apps. It’s perfect for Kiwis who want to access world-class or popular local video on demand applications including Netflix, Lightbox, YouTube, FreeviewPlus, TVNZ OnDemand, 3NOW and Māori TV On Demand. The design of the DX900 series has been inspired by European architecture and interiors, expertly crafted using premium materials to create modern and stylish frames and pedestals. Panasonic’s new DX900 TV Series will be available from electronics retailers nationwide from today. 58-inch and 65-inch screen size options are available.

The post Panasonic’s Revolutionary New DX900 TV Series is Shaping the Future of Television appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Panasonic has today launched their new flagship 4K Pro Smart Ultra-High Definition (UHD) DX900 television series.

As a global leader in 4K UHD technology, Panasonic’s DX900 is the first LED LCD television to be awarded ‘Ultra HD Premium’ certification. It also features the latest advancements in 4K Pro UHD and High Dynamic Range (HDR) technologies.

Signalling an exciting new era of television innovation for Panasonic, the DX900 will bring the ultimate cinematic experience to New Zealand homes. It features a brand new Studio Master HCX+ chipset and revolutionary new LCD panel which delivers an outstanding 4K UHD picture quality, and Kiwis will also enjoy a more intuitive user experience.

Grant Shaw, Audio Visual Group Product Manager, Panasonic New Zealand says Panasonic’s new DX900 TV series is a formidable TV that will be hard to beat for New Zealanders after a 4K and HDR TV accredited with the ‘Ultra HD Premium’ certification.

“Panasonic has drawn on many years of experience to produce a new model intended to not only be the best LED-LCD TV but can also hold its own against a professional studio monitor,” says Shaw.

With the DX900 series, Panasonic has developed unique new honeycomb-structure local dimming technology, which enables the LCD screen to deliver both bright highs and deep blacks, especially when viewing HDR content.

The honeycomb design divides the screen into hundreds of individually controlled ‘zones’. These zones are isolated from each other to remove light leakage, a common problem for traditional LCD televisions, which caused a ‘light halo’ effect around bright objects.

These ultra-transmissive LCD cells allow the DX900 to showcase greater brightness peaks (up to 1,000 nits) across a wider portion of the screen compared to standard HDR LCD TVs. This means viewers will enjoy a more vibrant image quality which perfectly illustrates the remarkable potential of HDR content.

In addition, Panasonic’s Wide Colour Phosphor technology combines advanced LED backlighting with a new colour filter system and delivers a wider colour spectrum. Kiwis will experience nuanced and more natural colour tones, especially during dark scenes which will intensify the drama of their home entertainment experience.

Central to the DX900 is a brand new chipset called Studio Master HCX+ (Hollywood Cinema Experience plus). The HCX+ processor enhances colour accuracy for content made in HDR, and also Standard Dynamic Range, by adding a new colour compensation algorithm.

The DX900 can reproduce hues and tones at every level of brightness. The range of colour and contrast with HDR has been expanded and this has resulted in significantly boosted highlights, deeper blacks and more life-like images with incredible detail in every picture scene.

The DX900 is the first television to wear the UHD Alliance’s Ultra-HD Premium grade for exceeding the industry’s tough picture performance criteria for brightness, resolution, contrast, HDR performance, and more.

Additionally, the DX900 has earned certification from THX Ltd. a renowned independent quality assurance group. This prestigious certification is achieved by very few televisions however the DX900 has been revered by the committee for its outstanding picture quality and accuracy.

Panasonic has also collaborated with the film community to reach new heights in delivering the most accurate colour reproduction for the DX900.

The DX900 has been finely-tuned in the Panasonic Hollywood Lab in collaboration with renowned Hollywood colourist Mike Sowa, from Pirates of the Caribbean, Kill Bill, Oblivion, and The Jungle Book. Through this collaboration, Panasonic has ensured that HDR and SDR playback lives up to the original vision of the filmmaker.

Alongside a suite of impressive picture quality technologies, the DX900 boasts a more powerful audio system compared to standard televisions. Its Neodymium magnet-powered speaker boxes use Quad Passive Radiators which resonate in sync with the vibrations generated by the TV’s woofer speakers. This enhances the bass and delivers a rich sound quality.

Other features of Panasonic’s DX900 TV series include a more intuitive user operation. It is powered by the new Firefox operating system which lets Kiwis easily track down their favourite TV channels, apps, videos, websites and content through the TV home screen. The home screen can also be personalised by pinning favourite apps or content to the home screen.

Furthermore, the DX900 Smart TV features a large variety of easy-access content and apps. It’s perfect for Kiwis who want to access world-class or popular local video on demand applications including Netflix, Lightbox, YouTube, FreeviewPlus, TVNZ OnDemand, 3NOW and Māori TV On Demand.

The design of the DX900 series has been inspired by European architecture and interiors, expertly crafted using premium materials to create modern and stylish frames and pedestals.

Panasonic’s new DX900 TV Series will be available from electronics retailers nationwide from today. 58-inch and 65-inch screen size options are available.

The post Panasonic is Shaping the Future of TV appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Is this the monitor to die for? Pretty much, yes.

With the current hype associated with the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge it is easily forgotten that Samsung also produce other high end devices other than smartphones.

We have been one loaned one of these such devices to try on and try out, the Samsung Ultra WQHD Curved 34 inch LED monitor.

From the box you could be forgiven for thinking you have acquired a television, however once you have unpacked it all, it is pretty much plug and play, followed by oooh’s and ahhh’s.

With the monitor package you receive every connector cable possible. We opted for HDMI, of course.

The setup disc that is included has the drivers necessary for gaining optimuim resolution for the screen – but there is also an application that allows you to tweak the monitor settings to your liking aswell as enacting PiP (Picture in Picture) and even multi screen (where the screen is sectioned into four).

Boasting 16.7 M and a 4MS response time, the Ultra WQHD is a dazzling and rich graphic experience.

Various modes are on offer too. We opted for the gaming mode.

The sheer size of the monitor is overwhelming when on one’s desk and the curve of it actually immerses you into the gameplay (if gaming) or any other media that you may be watching.

Hell, even boring admin stuff with this behemoth screen stops you from being distracted by your surroundings.

Firstly we plugged in the Samsung SE790C (the model we had) into a high spec gaming laptop running Windows 8.1 x64 and a Nvidia graphics card.

It worked perfectly without the need for drivers and installation of the mod software was a cinch and worked as expected.

Then, we tried it on a lower spec desktop running Windows 7 Ultimate x64.

The mediocre ATI graphics card struggled with the optimal 3440 x 1440 resolution to the point whereby the monitor was prone to going black.

A bit if Googling and a series of ATi updates got it working, but there was screen lag with the mouse cursor.

Games and movies’ framerates were awful to the point of unplayable and unwatchable. Adjusting the graphics settings on the ATi (and the games’ graphic settings) bore no joy.

So – if you are considering a monitor of this caliber make sure your PC or Mac is up to spec first.

We also gave a PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and an Xbox One a whirl on the mighty screen. All was perfect and flawless.

The rear of the screen boasts 4x USB 3.0 Ports for immediate plug and play. There are internal speakers in the monitor, which didn’t sound as bad as I was expecting – but don’t do away with your external speaker setup just yet.

The design of the Samung 34″ Curved monitor is that of periscope, which was to my relief and will be for many others as computer desk tend to attract a lot of junk on them and this leaves the required desk space by having a minimal base stand.

I was a little disappointed at how thick the black screen bevel is, and I would have expected that a monitor that is as high end as this one would have had a sleek thin bevel.

The Samsung WQHD 34″ Curved monitor SE790C is absolutely one of the best on the market and while it is a bit pricey (will set you back just shy of a couple of grand) it is an investment that you will not regret, especially if you prefer to play games on PC or are looking for  high end monitor solely for next gen consoles.

This is the one monitor, the one screen to rule them all.

Visit The Official Website HERE

The post Samsung WQHD 34″ Curved Wide Monitor Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.