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As more and more Blu-ray players find their way into homes across the country consumers may occasionally encounter a problem where some movies might not work correctly in their player.  Owners may report that their player cannot access additional features on various discs, while others may notice that new discs cannot be read by the player at all.  There is good news though: this problem can generally be resolved for most affected Blu-ray players by simply downloading and installing a firmware update.

What exactly is firmware?

Firmware is a type of program embedded into an electronic device that tells that device how to function.  As the name suggests, it is something of a cross between actual hardware components and pure software programs.  Like software, it is processed by a microchip.  Like hardware however, it is closely linked to physical parts and means little – if anything – outside of that context.

So, why are firmware updates necessary?

Just like a computer’s operating system, firmware is occasionally updated by manufacturers to resolve technical issues that may occur and to allow compatibility with newer technology.   For Blu-ray players, once such advancement came with the introduction of BD+ copy protection.  Without firmware updates, players released prior to the advent of BD+ probably would be unable to play or even recognize discs with this feature.

What does this all mean for me?

Before assuming that any new Blu-ray disc you purchase is defective, make sure that you have the latest firmware update to your Blu-ray player.  Many manufacturers will make regular announcements on their support websites whenever new firmware updates become available, as well as provide step-by-step instructions on how to perform them.  You may even be able to find additional information by visiting the homepage of the studio that released the movie (such as Disney, Sony Pictures, MGM, etc).

It seems like personal electronics are moving towards a point where we have one gadget that does everything, and there is no better example of this than the modern cell phone. It is hard to even call them cell phones anymore since they are more like handheld computers that can fit in your pocket.

I was thinking about this because lately the biggest development in new digital cameras is to integrate HD video and still capability into one product. It is true that point-and-shoot cameras have had the ability to shoot short video clips for quite some time now, but recently DSLR manufacturers have been developing new camera models that take this integration of photos and video to a whole new level.

Starting with the Nikon D90 a number of DSLR cameras now have the ability to shoot HD video along with their unmatched still image quality. Canon shortly after took the lead in this field with the professional model Canon 5D mark II, and hasn’t relinquished that lead ever since. In fact with the release of the Canon 7D last fall they have taken this type of camera to a whole new level of integrating high quality HD video with the ability to capture the best possible still images.

There are a number of advantages to shooting video with a DSLR still camera, and the biggest advantage in my mind is that the sensor is significantly larger than the sensor on a point-and-shoot camera or a camcorder. A larger sensor will produce much better quality photos and video, and will also allow you to shoot both in much less light. The next advantage I see is that with a camcorder you are limited to the lens that the manufacturer puts on the camcorder (unless you have the money for a true professional camcorder), while with a DSLR you have the ability to pick and choose the lens that works best for your needs.

Some people are referring to this new type of DSLR as a VSLR, and this type of camera was initially released in advanced amateur and professional level models. Manufacturers have seen the need for this type of camera with the typical user, and in the last year have released a number of entry level VSLR cameras that incorporate HD video in a more affordable body. A good example of this is the new Canon Rebel T2i that was recently released, which unlike most other entry level VSLR camera this camera captures true 1080p in multiple frame rates.

I can see this type of product being invaluable to a family that wants to capture stills and videos of their family and friends. Most families might first look at the price of even an entry level VSLR as out of their budget, but if you combine the price of a medium level point-and-shoot camera with the price of an average camcorder you come very close to the cost of one of these cameras.

In the end it’s your vision and dedication that matters, but the right tools do make a difference!

Tired of watching three-dimensional images on a two-dimensional screen?  Want to add a new layer of depth to your home theater experience?  How would you like to experience the thrill of watching a 3D movie like Avatar in the comfort of your own home?  Well, very soon you’ll be able to do just that!

In the coming weeks Best Buy will be introducing a number of 3D-capable HDTVs and Blu-ray players to our retail stores and BestBuy.com.  Not only do these brand-new models feature built-in support for 3D movies, games and broadcast TV, but they do it without the need for old-school red-and-blue glasses!  They can even deliver both 2D and 3D content in the same, glorious 1080p we’ve all come to know and love.

Want to learn more about how 3D TV works and what you’ll need to get your home 3D-ready?  Then make sure to check out our 3D TV FAQ over on BestBuy.com.  Or better yet, why not stop by your local Best Buy store anytime after March 21^st to check out our Samsung full HD 3D experience for yourself?

3D Is Coming Home! - BestBuy.com

You can even catch a sneak peek of what’s to come by checking out the Samsung 3D TV and Blu-ray player that are already available on BestBuy.com:

Samsung 55" Class 1080p 240Hz 3D LED-LCD HDTV

Samsung 3D/Internet Connectable/Wi-Fi Blu-ray Disc Player

Ever find yourself wanting to show a large group of people a photo you just took with your digital camera?  Gathering everyone around a small LCD screen can be quite a pain, and simply passing the camera around can spell disaster for it at a picnic or busy gathering.  Sure, you could save the photo on a memory card and hope that there’s a TV with a memory card reader nearby, but wouldn’t it be easier if your camera simply had a built-in projector?  Well, now it can!

Nikon’s Coolpix S1000pj is the world’s first digital camera with a built-in projector.  Not only does this 12.1-megapixel wonder project still images, but it also projects movies with sound!  It even features 5-way VR stabilization and Nikon’s exclusive Best Shot Selector (BSS) technology – a function that automatically scans up to 10 consecutive images and only saves the one with the highest level of detail to the camera’s memory card.

Want more information?  Want to see the S1000pj in action?  Then make sure to check out the following links:

Nikon Coolpix S1000pj - BestBuy.com

Nikon Coolpix S1000pj Demo - BestBuy.com

CES has come and gone and chances are if you’ve seen any of the convention’s media coverage you’ve heard that 3D technology is the hot new trend for 2010.  Nearly every TV manufacturer from Sony to Toshiba and from LG to Panasonic is making a 3D-capable TV, while many computer manufacturers are adapting the technology to their monitors and laptops.  But how does it work?  How do you turn an image in a two-dimensional medium into a three-dimensional experience?

3D pictures can be created a number of different ways, although many of these methods typically fall into one of four categories: anaglyph images, polarization, alternate-frame sequencing, and autostereoscopy. 

Anaglyph images

Anaglyph images are made up of two differently colored layers that have been superimposed on each other.  Slightly offset to give the illusion of depth, these layers are then filtered through “color coded” glasses – usually cyan and red – to reveal a three-dimensional picture.

Polarization

Polarized 3D images are typically created by using two synced projectors that display different perspectives of the same scene.  Each projector uses a slightly different polarizing lens and a special pair of glasses worn by the viewer then restricts which image is allowed into each eye.

Alternate-frame sequencing

This method of 3D imaging is achieved by filming with two cameras from slightly different perspectives, just like polarization.  Individual frames from each camera are pieced together in an alternating order (left camera, right camera, left camera, right camera, etc.) and the combined film is run at twice the normal frame rate.  The audience then wears special glasses with an active shutter system that opens and closes each lens in rapid succession.

Autostereoscopy

Unlike other traditional methods, autostereoscopy does not require the use of special glasses.  Instead, it relies upon the use of an array of magnifying lenses or a “grated” panel called a parallax barrier that is built into the display itself.  Depending on the observer’s viewing position, their eyes will each perceive a different picture, resulting in a 3D image.

Now, while no industry-wide standard for creating 3D TVs has been established yet, consumers can think of the models shown at this year’s CES as a sign of what may come.  Just make sure to keep checking back with us as more information and more models become available!

If you are looking to buy a new TV you might have a lot of questions. The technology used in TVs is changing all the time. This has created some new questions that people have started asking. I am going to do my best to help answer these.

What type should I buy: LCD, Plasma, or LED?

This question does not have a clear answer because there are many things to take into consideration. The TV that will work best for you will depend on where you are going to put the TV and the environmental factors in your room.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) –TVs work great in rooms with a lot of light. These TVs also come in the greatest range of sizes from little 7” portable models to 65” home theater giants. LCD TVs are also more energy efficient than comparable plasma models. 

Plasma – Unlike LCD TVs, plasmas work best in dark or dimly lit rooms. They are also known to produce the darkest and deepest blacks and the most vibrant colors. Plasma TVs are great for sports, action movies and video games due to the high refresh rate. 

LED (Light-Emitting Diode) – Sometimes referred to as LED-LCD, LED TVs are LCD TVs that have LED set up as the backlight for the TV. These TVs work well in any lighting and also have blacks and colors that are comparable to plasma TVs. Due to the fact that LEDs are so small many of these TVs are thinner than regular LCD models.

What size TV do I need?

First I would like to address the difference between tube TVs and new HDTVs. Tube TVs use a 4:3 aspect ratio and HDTVs use a 16:9 aspect ratio. Aspect ratio is the number of units of width vs. height, so a 16:9 screen is 16 units wide and 9 units tall.  For example, older TV programs that are in “standard format” are in 4:3 ratio.  Shows currently being broadcast in “widescreen” format are 16:9.

If you are switching from a tube TV to a new HDTV then you are in for a big and exciting change. If you were to take the same size HDTV as the tube TV you had it will seem much smaller. Since HDTVs are widescreen they are not as tall as a comparable sized tube TV. The general rule is that if you are replacing a tube TV then you can get an HDTV that is about 25% larger, e.g. if you’re replacing a 27” tube TV, a 37” HDTV would be the most comparable. 

If you are not sure what size TV you need for your room you can measure the distance from where you will be sitting to where you will have the TV. You can then take this number and divide it by 2 or 3. This is the approximate size of the TV that will be best for viewing in the space allowed. 

1080p or 720p?

These numbers refer to the number of vertical lines in the TV display. So a 720p TV has 720 vertical lines of resolution and a 1080p TV has 1,080. When trying to pick which is best for you think of what you will be using the TV for. If you are planning on watching content that is in 1080p like Blu-Ray movies then you might want to purchase a 1080p TV. If you are planning on just watching TV and regular DVDs then a 720p TV might work for you.

Refresh Rate

This refers to the number of times per second that a TV screen image is rebuilt. So, a TV with 60Hz refresh rate means that the picture will be rebuilt 60 times per second. TVs with a higher refresh rate generally have a smoother picture. This is best for Sports, action movies, and video games. 

Connections… So many options…

There are many options when it comes to connecting other devices to your TV. These are some of the most common ones and what they are used for.

• HDMI - Highest-quality all-digital A/V connections currently available. HDMI connections deliver audio and video signals using a single cable for simple home theater setup, and all HDMI connections support HDCP to allow the transmission of copy-protected high-definition content.

• DVI - All-digital connections that carry high-resolution video signals from a source (such as a set-top box or a DVD player) to an HDTV or HD monitor. Some DVI connections support HDCP to allow the transmission of copy-protected high-definition content.

• Component Video - Connections that deliver video signals in 3 separate parts for enhanced color purity, detail and clarity. Component video connections deliver better picture quality than any other type of analog connection (RF, composite video and S-video) and are the only analog connections that support high-definition signals.

• Composite Video - Standard video connections that deliver brightness and color information together. Composite video connections provide better picture quality than RF connections but not as good as S-video, component video, DVI and HDMI connections.

• VGA - Inputs that allow you to connect the TV to your PC for use as a computer monitor.

• Optical Audio – Transmits a digital audio signal through a fiber optic cable. 

In summary…

When purchasing a new TV you have a lot to think about. Make sure that you get the correct size for your room and the proper type for what you will be watching. Get the features that best suit your viewing and gaming needs. Also make sure that the TV you purchase has all of the connectors options that you will need to get your components connected. Do your research and think of your needs and you should get a TV that you will love. If you need more information about HDTVs visit the Best Buy® Home Theater Resource Center or consult the specialists at your local store.

Having touchpad or wireless connectivity problems with your new Acer Aspire AS5532-5535?  Before assuming that there’s anything wrong with the computer, there’s one quick troubleshooting step you may want to try: make sure you didn’t accidentally turn the touchpad/networking card off!

As you can see from the picture below, the on/off switch for both this model’s touchpad (highlighted in red) and wireless card (highlighted in green) are located right next to the power button.  This close proximity means that it may be easy to disable one or both of these features without even knowing it.  To turn either feature on again, simply press the appropriate button.

Still having touchpad or connectivity issues?  Don’t worry, we’re here to help!  Remember that you can always bring your computer to the Geek Squad® counter at your local Best Buy® store for additional support under your factory warranty or service plan coverage.

Ever wonder how the facial recognition software on digital cameras functions?  If so, then you may want to check out Allan-BBY's explanation of the feature from our Cameras & Camcorders board:

Hi Everyone,

How often have you tried to capture an image of someone with your camera just to have your camera focus on something other than your subject? If you’re anything like me you probably feel like you have lost the opportunity to capture a special moment in your life, and you wish your camera had done a better job of focusing on your subject.

Before autofocus the decision of what to focus on was entirely up to the user, but this often meant the moment in time had passed before the image you saw could be captured. Thankfully autofocus systems were developed, and now almost always work much faster and more accurately that manually focusing on your subject.

There of course are exceptions to the above statement, and sometimes these autofocus systems focus on something other than your subject. This is often due to your subject not being in the center of the frame, or there is something closer to you than your subject.

Camera manufacturers have been working on overcoming this limitation, and now manufacturers have what is called Face Detection technology that in most cases overcomes this limitation. My wife’s Canon G9 has this technology, and I can attest to the fact that it focuses on faces in the frame the vast majority of the time.

When I first used this technology I couldn’t understand how it could possible detect faces in a scene, but after looking into how this technology works I was surprised how logical of an approach these manufacturers took.

Due to contrast differences caused by lighting three dimensional shapes the manufacturers developed advanced algorithms that search for common facial features of humans in the frame, and then shift focus to those points. Without the processing power of modern camera processors this technology would be impossible due to the time it would take for less advanced processors to run these algorithms.

This technology of course has to work within the limits of the camera, camcorder, or webcam using it. Because of these limits there are certain situations where it won’t be able to properly focus on all the faces in a particular frame. For example if have one person three feet from the camera, and your second subject is twenty feet away, this technology won’t be able to focus on both unless the lighting and camera lens make it possible to achieve the depth of field necessary to focus on both subjects.

It isn’t a perfect technology, and there are definitely situations that even this technology can’t overcome, but all-in-all I feel like it’s definitely worth having.

I hope this helps!

Blu-ray has been the de facto standard for High Definition video movies for quite some time now. There have been many questions though, such as what is Blu-ray? Why should I upgrade? Here are some answers.

What is Blu-ray? The short answer is that Blu-ray is an optical storage medium and is more advanced than DVD in many ways.  Regular DVDs use a red laser to read and write the data to the discs. Blu-ray, as the name implies, uses a blue-violet laser. This uses a shorter wavelength for focusing the laser thus allowing more information to fit into the same amount of space. In general Blu-ray discs can hold 25GB for single layer discs and 50GB for dual layer discs. This is about five times the storage space of regular DVDs. Blu-ray discs can also handle advanced video and audio formats providing a better viewing experience, thanks to the higher storage capacity. 

Something to remember, though, is that Blu-ray is a new media format and requires new hardware.  While your current DVD player won’t play Blu-ray disks, Blu-ray players are backwards compatible and will play your DVD collection.  

Why should I upgrade? Why or when to upgrade is generally quite subjective.  It’s all about you.  There is a simple question you can ask yourself to help answer this: do I have a High Definition TV (HDTV) or do I plan to purchase one? If you answer no, then you probably don’t need a Blu-ray player as many of the key benefits will not be noticeable. If you answer yes, a Blu-ray player might be a good choice for you. The main benefits of a Blu-ray player are video and audio quality. These will only really been seen on an HDTV. DVD really opened up the possibilities for high-quality in-home video presentation, but audio still had to be compressed in order to accommodate a DVD’s more limited storage. With the advent of Blu-ray and its significantly increased data storage capacity, the audio no longer has to be compressed allowing for a much richer in-home movie experience. Truly, if you like watching movies then Blu-ray can provide an experience that is second only to going to the movie theater. 

Another benefit to most Blu-ray players is that they will upconvert your regular DVD movies to near HD quality. DVDs are encoded at 480 lines of resolution. The up-conversion process creates an output picture that is 720 or 1080 lines of resolution, dramatically enhancing the picture’s appearance.  This means that you don’t need to replace your movie collection with Blu-ray disks, but you may want to upgrade your favorites and be wowed by them as if for the very first time! In addition to a dramatically changed audio and video experience, Blu-ray adds new features that are sure to impress.  The latest and greatest Blu-ray players feature internet connectivity, both wired and wireless.  This allows for features like BD-Live.  BD-Live content can included internet chats, games, and downloadable featurettes just to name a few.  This connectedness also allows your player to proactively install new firmware updates developed by manufacturers so that your Blu-ray player is always up-to-date for the latest content.

So, that’s it.  It’s really your decision to upgrade, but Blu-ray is the future of in-home video.   You may find what Blu-ray offers irresistible, so we invite you to check it out!

Are you in the market for a new computer?  If so, then we’ve got some great news for you!  Best Buy recently unveiled its new assortment of desktop, laptop and netbook computers, each with some of the latest and greatest features available.

BestBuy.com – Desktop Computers – New Arrivals

BestBuy.com – Laptop Computers – New Arrivals

BestBuy.com – Netbooks

Not only do these computers come with Windows 7 pre-installed, but many of them also feature Intel’s latest additions to their Core family of processors.  Available in three performance levels – i3, i5 and i7 – these smarter processors automatically deliver extra performance where you need it and adapt to each application you use.

www.bestbuy.com/newcore

Looking for something a little more special?  We even introduced three brand-new Best Buy exclusive Blue Label laptop models – computers designed specifically around customer feedback.  Here are a few of the key features all three models share:

• Wireless TV connection
• Backlit keyboards
• 2-year manufacturer’s warranty
• 30 days of Geek Squad support
• 1 year of antivirus protection

For full details and model information though make sure to visit www.bestbuy.com/bluelabel.

And it gets even better!  All throughout February we’re going to be offering special computer deals, so make sure to keep an eye on BestBuy.com, check our weekly advertisements, or follow us on Twitter (@BestBuy_Deals) for more information!

Rumors have floated around for the past year about the Apple Tablet. They have been all over the place and no rumor is the same as another. Screen size and type, cost and intended uses have all been key differences between reports. Some people said that it will be primarily used for reading e-books, some that it would be for multimedia like watching movies and listening to music. Well, now the wait is over and we have the real facts about this “magical and revolutionary device.” 

At a press conference today Apple has announced the upcoming release of the iPad, the next generation of personal entertainment computing. This product looks very similar to the iPhone though considerably larger. It has a 9.7 inch capacitive multi-touch IPS display and they report up to 10 hours of battery life with over a month of standby. It’s only .5” thick and weighs 1.5 pounds, less than any netbook. Built in WiFi, compass, accelerometer and microphone are some of the features. There will be three storage sizes of the iPad all with flashbased memory:  16GB, 32GB, and 64GB.

All of the more than 140,000 apps that are available for the iPhone and iPod Touch will be usable on the iPad. The iPad also has the iTunes store built right in. You can purchase and download your favorite music and movies directly to the iPad. Apple has started to develop games for the iPad that take full advantage of the features of the device. These games include a first person shooter called Nova, where you can use the multi-touch features to play. Also Need for Speed: Shift where you steer by tilting the screen and you can touch on the rear-view mirror to see behind you.

Apple has also partnered with the New York Times and they say that they have captured the essence of reading a newspaper. You can also get e-books for your iPad. They announced that there will be a new app called iBooks. You can download books for the iPad and then flip though them just like you would a regular book. Books will be available through the iBookstore, a new iTunes-like store.iWork has been redesigned for your iPad and features an all new user interface. This will allow you to work on presentations with a version of Keynote. You can navigate though slides, re-arrange them by holding down, and tap multiple slides to make a bundle. Numbers gives you the ability to work on spreadsheets and create graphs right on your iPad. Pages is the text editing app with many new features. The three iWork apps will only cost $9.99 each. The iPad will also be connectable to a projector with a small cable. 

The iPad will come complete with 3G data. 3G service will be available through AT&T with two plan options: $14.99 per month for up to 250MB of data or $29.99 for unlimited use. There is no contract necessary for use and you also will have free use of AT&T hotspots. According to Apple pricing for the iPad will start $499 for the 16GB model ($629 with 3G capability).

Unlike some of my friends, I don’t tend to spend much time contemplating what the “next big thing” is going to be when it comes to either consumer electronics or video games.  In fact, I try to avoid those kinds of conversations with them whenever possible because: a) I will invariably be wrong in any prediction I make, and b) my inaccurate predictions usually wind up costing me money.

Well, against better judgment I allowed myself to engage in one such conversation not too long about the feasibility of developers incorporating stereoscopic 3D technology into their video games and game consoles.  One friend anticipated that consumers wouldn’t see any attempts at this until the next console generation, and another stated that the time for 3D games came and went with Nintendo’s Virtual Boy.  Ever the smart aleck, I suggested that the idea of 3D gaming is an oft-recurring minor fad that will never see an earnest attempt to make the technology mainstream.  How wrong we all were:

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/01/ces-2010-3d-qa/

Sony’s announcement that the PlayStation 3 will soon be able to support 3D gaming probably shouldn’t have come as a surprise – 3D-capable HDTVs were, after all, one of the focal points of this year’s CES show.  What is a surprise though is that the console will only need firmware updates to accomplish the task.  True, consumers will also need a 3D-capable HDTV and will need to have a pair of 3D glasses handy, but the console’s already good to go.

So what does this mean for PS3 owners?  It means that you’ll want to keep an eye out for large firmware updates starting later this year and towards the beginning of 2011.

It also means that I don’t owe anyone lunch.

Tired of searching for the TV remote?  Well, soon consumers won’t have to worry about where they put it thanks to the latest advancement in home theater technology: hand gesture recognition.  Check this video out:

http://www.gesturetek.com/newscenter/media.php?media=71

Not only does this little gizmo promise a remote control-free TV viewing experience, but it also offers the possibility of being able to control your thermostat, lights and more with the wave of a hand.  Hitachi is the first HDTV vendor slated to support this feature starting in the fall of 2010, with other manufacturers following in early 2011.

Sounds good to me, but I’m still curious as to how this technology will interact with other movement-based input devices like Sony’s PlayStation Eye and Microsoft’s upcoming Project Natal…

I’ve always been at a loss when it comes to stocking stuffer gift ideas.  Either I wind up buying last-minute items that the gift recipient just bought for themselves or, worse yet, small gadgets they’ve owned for quite some time.  Well, this year I think I stumbled across something that – if I’m lucky – no one I know has considered purchasing yet:  a remote control toy.

Specifically, the FlyTech Bladestar caught my attention while I was browsing BestBuy.com earlier this afternoon.  Not only can this little gadget be paired in sets of two for “Dogfights,” but it can also be put into a free-roaming “Autopilot” mode that allows it to navigate any room while avoiding obstacles like people, furniture and walls.  To me these features alone make it sound like a great way to keep young kids entertained (and occupied!) while their parents sneak off to hide/retrieve additional holiday gifts.

Want more information about this item or other remote control toys we carry?  Make sure to check out the official product category page on BestBuy.com:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Gadgets-eReaders-Games/Robots/abcat0714014.c?id=abcat0714014

Looking to try something different with your holiday greetings this year?  Unsure sure what to write?  Well, why not try sending a personalized video podcast instead?  Not only are they fairly easy to make, but you may even be able to save some money if you’d normally find yourself buying cards for a large number of family members and friends.

As briefly explained in this video there are really only a few things you’ll need: a computer, a camcorder (or webcam!), some basic video editing software, and an internet connection to upload your creation to a website like Facebook, Flickr, or Vimeo.  You don’t even need to have higher-end equipment to get the job done - flash memory camcorders are available for as little as $39.99 and many computers come with some kind of pre-installed video editing software.

Concerned that the general public will see videos intended for your Uncle Bill or Aunt Helen?  Don’t worry!  Many video-sharing websites feature privacy options, allowing users to pick and choose who has access to which files.

For more information – and additional suggestions – make sure to speak with either a computer or digital imaging specialist at your local Best Buy store.  Otherwise, come join the discussion on our Cameras & Camcorders board:

http://forums.bestbuy.com/t5/Cameras-and-Camcorders/bd-p/Cameras_and_Camcorders

Have you ever found yourself searching for a replacement battery for an older laptop, a projector lamp for an out-of-warranty TV, or another hard-to-find part?  Well, if you answer was “yes” then we’ve got some good news for you!  You can find all of these items and more through Best Buy’s Partsearch.

Partsearch is one of America’s largest sources for replacement parts and accessories, offering parts for most electronics and appliances.  Whether it’s made by Insignia, Whirlpool or Sony, simply browse our selection to find parts from dozens of manufacturers.

http://bestbuy.partsearch.com/

Not sure how to navigate the site?  Just give us a call at 1-888-BEST-BUY (1-888-237-8289) and we’d be glad to help you out!

In the market for a new TV, but don’t want to brave the crowds this Thanksgiving weekend?  Well, you may just be in luck!  BestBuy.com is currently featuring a number of unadvertised specials for select Panasonic TV models:

www.bestbuy.com/PanasonicBFPricing

These “Black Friday” prices are only valid between 11/25/2009 and 11/30/2009, so make sure to check them out before they’re gone!

Hey you! Yes, you there in that shirt, looking at your screen right now. I’m writing at you this very second because you need to know something awesome.  I know you like getting super deals on stuff that you buy and everyone appreciates a deal around the holidays. So Best Buy® has a solution for our savvy holiday shoppers, the Deal of the Day!

Every day the Deals website, twitter feed and text message options will tell you the featured product for the day. Then you can avoid fighting through the lines on Black Friday or our holiday rushes in our stores and just order online for easy convenience. We put the power in your hands to get the best price from Best Buy®!

For more info check out the sweet deals we’re laying down on our site: Best Buy® Deals as well as our Best Buy® Deals Twitter OR you can just have the daily deal sent right to your portable texting device, (i.e. your cell phone) by texting DAILY to 332211. Standard message and data rates by your provider still apply. Just remember that these offers are only valid the day they are announced and are only available on BestBuy.com!

Planning on buying the collector’s edition of a video game or movie for a loved one this year?  Well, if you are you may want to make sure that they’re not only opening but also using those gifts in a timely fashion.  Why you ask?  The answer’s simple: in place of tangible bonuses, some collectors’ editions now include time-sensitive promotional codes that are intended to be used within a few months of the product’s release date.

Although this is by no means a new practice, it’s definitely something to keep in mind before letting that copy of Dragon Age: Origins or Watchmen sit in your closet for two months.  After all, who wants to lose out on some extra in-game swag or access to a digital copy?  Just keep in mind that this doesn’t only apply to in-box promotional materials!  Many video game preorder codes also come with expiration dates, including the Sgt. Johnson character code for Halo 3: ODST.

Yesterday Best Buy announced a special limited time offer for its lowest-priced advertised laptop ever, but if you woke up late this morning you probably missed your chance to place an order for it on BestBuy.com.  There is good news though!  The Acer EX5230E-2177 is still available for $249.99 at many of our retail stores, albeit in limited quantities.

Here are some of the unit’s features:

•    2.2GHz Intel Celeron Processor
•    2GB Memory
•    160GB Hard Drive
•    15.4” Display
•    6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery
•    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit

Want more information?  Make sure to speak with a sales associate at your local Best Buy store about this offer and other computing specials available now through Saturday, 11/14/2009!

Yesterday evening while browsing the Gadgets & eReaders section of BestBuy.com I came across an odd little device that probably would have been handy when I was a freshman in college: a pen that records audio while you write.  Sure, either a tape recorder or laptop would pretty much serve the same purpose, but when you’re a student and don’t have the budget for a new computer – and you’ve never even seen a fully-functional tape recorder – it seems like it would be a feasible alternative.

I think what intrigued me the most though was the pen’s ability to link audio to individual notes.  Having the ability to do that certainly would have helped me understand why my lecture notes from History of the British Isles were filled with so many seemingly random comments about Benjamin Disraeli and William Gladstone the day after the class.

Does anyone have any experience with one of these smartpens?

With the recent addition of the PlayStation 3 to the growing list of Netflix-ready devices it was only a matter of time before rumors of the service coming to the Nintendo Wii started to abound.  The ability to stream video on demand is, after all, one of the largest growing trends in consumer electronics, with support being integrated into everything from Blu-ray players to TVs to home theater systems.

So, what does this mean for the average consumer?  Well, apart from having yet another entry to compare on product specification pages, it also means that consumers may soon be able to do away with their computer entirely when it comes to watching their favorite movies on demand through web-based services.  Want to watch that latest zombie flick on your big screen TV instead of your computer monitor?  No problem!  Just queue the movie up on your PS3 or DVD player.  Want a second peek at that clip you saw at a friend’s house?  Why not sign into your Netflix account using their home theater system, reserve the title, and then watch it later using your Xbox 360?

What other kind of services would you want to see incorporated into home theater equipment?  For that matter, where else would you want to see Netflix compatibility?

Have you heard about the new rhythm game called DJ Hero?  You could say it is similar to Guitar Hero in the sense that both are a music video game and use a note highway.  It is a highly anticipated release across the world and brings new excitement to the gaming community.

The game has more than 80 remixes that mesh two different songs into each other across numerous genres.  Players press buttons in rhyme with the highway scrolling on the screen to activate beats, cross fade between the two songs and use the turntable to scratch along with the song.  Performing these tasks well scores points with your in game crowd.

The game has a single player career mode and cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes.  You can also use a Guitar Hero guitar with select songs alongside the DJ game play.

Many DJ and mix artists have contributed to the game's development, the creation of mixes, and by lending their images for playable avatars in the game; these including David Guetta, DJ Shadow, Z-Trip, DJ AM, Cut Chemist, J.Period, Grandmaster Flash, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Daft Punk.

DJ Hero is available for shipping or store pickup on BestBuy.com

In the past if you walked into a Best Buy® store searching for DJ equipment you probably would not have found a very large selection.  In fact, chances are that you may have missed the section entirely while browsing through our home theater, portable audio, and (in some cases) car audio departments.  Well, all that is about to change!

Over the next few weeks we’ll be introducing our brand-new Club Beats section to our U.S. retail stores, areas dedicated to DJ equipment and everything that consumers might need to get started in this exciting field.  Whether it’s a serious artistic endeavor or simply a new hobby you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find everything there from mixers to lighting kits and from speakers to turntables.

Want more information?  Make sure to check out the official product category page on BestBuy.com for additional details:

BestBuy.com - DJ & Lighting Equipment

If you’re in the market for a new HDTV and haven’t had the opportunity to visit BestBuy.com this week, you may want to check out the following link when you get the chance:

BestBuy.com

No, your eyes don’t deceive you - that is a 40” TV available for only $499.99.  On top of that, this week you have the opportunity to pick up a Netflix-ready Insignia Blu-ray player for the low price of $99.99.  Best Buy® is even offering special 2-year, no interest financing on home theater purchases $499.99 and up, as well as free delivery and recycling with TVs over $999.99. 

Want more information?  Make sure to check out BestBuy.com for additional details.  Just keep in mind that these offers are only valid between 10/25/2009 and 10/26/2009!

Back in July the former “Red Ring of Death and Other Gaming Nightmares” blog became the “Games and Gadgets” blog.  Then, just last month, the blog underwent another name change to become the “Latest and Greatest.”  The name wasn’t the only thing to change though – slight format tweaks also occurred.  What originally started out as simple, instructional material slowly turned into staff observations and the occasional announcement of new products and community events.

But why talk about it?  The answer’s simple: we want to know what you want to read about.  Would you like to see more step-by-step basic use guides, or would you prefer more information on upcoming events?  Would you like to hear more about our staff’s experience with technology, or would you rather see more updates on upcoming tech and gaming trends?  Heck, do you want more info on our weekly specials and upcoming promotions?

Let us know what you think!

If you’ve been following any of our Twitter feeds (@bby_community, @bby_comunidad, @bby_communaute) you’ve probably already seen the announcement that Best Buy now has a gadgets and e-readers section.  And if you haven’t, guess what?  Best Buy now has a gadgets and e-readers section!

BestBuy.com Gadgets & eReaders

Out of all the gizmos on the site the one that amused/confused/transfixed me the most was the electronic, touch-sensor Rubik’s Cube.  I have a hard enough time dealing with the old-fashioned “manual” versions as it is, so needless to say this little wonder got quickly added to my “I love the idea, but do I really want to punish myself by purchasing it?” list.

Perhaps the reason I was initially drawn to it was the fact that it’s a new twist on a relatively old product.  Then again, maybe it was the “Smart Coach” function that helps you solve the puzzle step-by-step.  Who would I be kidding though?  It’s because this Rubik’s Cube will scramble and solve itself while charging in its stand…

Curious?  Check it out here:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9492863&type=product&id=1218123789980

Chances are that if you’ve ever visited one of our retail stores you’ve probably seen one of the end-cap displays near the store’s registers.  They usually have an assortment of goodies on them, ranging from last-chance DVDs and CDs to gift cards and candy.  Well, I recently discovered that some of our stores have introduced a new element to these familiar sights: an “As Seen on TV” section.

That’s right.  Now you can find all sorts of gadgets and last-minute gift ideas that you could previously only see on TV at your local Best Buy store.   Granted, you don’t get the full infomercial experience, but you can still catch a first-hand glimpse of Snuggies (“the blanket that has sleeves”) and Bumpits (“volumizing hair inserts”) before you decide to buy.  BestBuy.com even has its own selection of “As Seen on TV” products that changes on a regular basis:

http://www.bestbuy.com/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat78300050007&type=category

Surprised?  I know I was when I found out.

What’s your favorite “As Seen on TV” product?

If you haven’t already heard the news, today we announced an upcoming live chat with some of the fine folks over at Infinity Ward about their upcoming title Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.  This comes along hot on the heels of last week’s announcement of a live chat session with Naughty Dog about UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves.  Needless to say, it’s starting to sound like it’s going to be a busy month here on the forums!

My question for you though, defenders of teh internets, is what other games would you like to see showcased like this?  More FPS games?  More Action-Adventure games?  Is there a certain RTS, RPG or Simulation game you’re just dying to learn more about?  Leave a comment here and let us know!

It's certainly been a busy week here on the forums!  Last Friday we held a live chat session with some of the developers behind Riot Games' League of Legends, on Tuesday we did the same with some of the guys from Bungie about Halo 3: ODST, and just a few minutes ago we announced an up-coming chat session with the minds behing Naughty Dog's UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves.  While all these going-ons mean that there wasn't a regular entry here this week, I'm pleased to say that we have provided transcripts for the chats that have taken place so far and that we're planning serveral more chat sessions for the near future.

Want more information?  Make sure to check out the links I've provided below:

League of Legends Live Chat Transcript

http://forums.bestbuy.com/t5/Gaming/League-of-Legends-Live-Chat-Session/m-p/55548#M2237

Halo 3: ODST Live Chat Transcript

http://forums.bestbuy.com/t5/Gaming/Halo-3-ODST-Live-Chat-Session-Transcript/td-p/57614

UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves Live Chat Announcement

http://forums.bestbuy.com/t5/Gaming/Uncharted-2-Among-Thieves-Live-Chat-Session/td-p/57632

Yesterday was a big day for the world of music and video games. The entire remastered Beatles collection and The Beatles: Rock Band were released, Apple announced the next generation of iPod models, and Kathy Lee Gifford retorted to critics of her Rock Band skills by asking, “You have a problem with a couple of middle-aged women having a little fun?”

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/32756139#32756139

No, Kathy Lee, I don’t think that anyone’s opposed to you having a little fun.  In fact, it’s probably a good thing that you (or your producers) decided to play the game on the air.  Ten to fifteen years ago video games were generally considered to be a child’s past-time – they weren’t an activity that many adults willingly engaged in unless they had children of their own.  Since then, the world has become a more accepting place for those who enjoy this particular hobby.

Music games in particular seem to have capitalized on this wide-spread acceptance the most, partially due to their cross-platform, multiple-medium approach.  Players don’t necessarily need to own a computer to play them, they don’t need to own an MP3 player to appreciate the music itself, and the short nature of most songs (3-5 minutes) allows even the most casual of gamers to enjoy them.  Combine these things with the fact that companies like Apple aren’t just in the hardware market – they’re selling music and software too – and you’ve got the potential for greater media exposure than any other video game genre.

Now, while I’m in no rush to pick up a copy of The Beatles: Rock Band myself, I do know at least one person that was in line yesterday morning to buy one.  Whether this was due to the media coverage on the game for the past few months or Best Buy’s Abbey Road vacation give-away I’m not too sure, but one thing’s certain: he wouldn’t have taken a day off to buy the game if it were tied to any other band.  He’s a Beatles fan, not a gamer.

Ten years ago if you had asked me if I liked The Beatles my answer would have been an emphatic “no.”  Nearly everyone around me – my family included – seemed to rave about how they were the best thing to happen since sliced bread.  Not only did it get old fast, but I grew tired of being told why I “had to” like certain songs and albums.  In fact, I often found myself not liking certain artists because someone else I knew liked them…and because they somehow felt the need lecture me on why I should too.

The usual arguments presented to me often included “so-and-so is one of the greatest [insert instrument here] players ever” and “they inspired [insert another band name here],” but I could not have cared less.  There’s always someone out there that’s “better” than “the best” and just because one musical group influenced another that doesn’t necessarily mean that they sound anything alike.  It wasn’t until I actually made the conscious decision to ignore such “recommendations” though that my musical tastes were allowed to broaden beyond the saccharin 80’s pop that I seemed to listen to exclusively during the first couple years of high school.

So, what do I listen for?  Three things: complex harmonies, dissonance, and groups that understand that music isn’t just blaring vocals or heavy instrumentals.  Although not all the groups I listen to are capable of all three, these factors mean that there will always be a place on my iPod for Ozzy Osbourne, Parliament and Wilson Philips.

As far as The Beatles are concerned, I hadn’t really considered giving them a second chance until I first heard “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” on the radio.  It’s not a very complex song, but it does have a hint of the dissonance I typically look for.  After all, it’s not very often that you hear a sitar and acoustic guitar playing the same melody.  Eventually I decided to invest the $15 and purchase Rubber Soul.

Now, I realize that Rubber Soul was the start of the group’s transformation from a Merseybeat sound to one that’s more pop/rock, but it still served as a springboard for me into their back catalogue.  While I tended to avoid the songs that always received radio airtime, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that perhaps there was something to my family and friends’ ramblings – many of the Beatles’ songs are kind of catchy and have singable multi-part harmonies.

I may not be die-hard Beatles’ fan (quite yet), but I can still safely say that I’m looking forward to the release of their remastered albums on 09/09/2009.  Perhaps now I’ll finally be able to find a copy of Revolver that doesn’t have the annoying “left ear instrumentals, right ear vocals” recording effect that always seems to be present in most versions of “Eleanor Rigby.”

Yesterday afternoon I finally caved in and purchased something that I had my eye on for quite some time – a PlayStation Portable.  I also picked up a couple of games to go along with it, including Dissidia: Final Fantasy to satisfy my Square-Enix fanboy tendencies.  Naturally, the wrappers were torn off the second I got home, the PSP’s charger got plugged in, and the instruction booklets were thrown into the massive tub-o’-manuals beneath my kitchen sink.  For the next three hours I sat impatiently waiting for the silly thing to finish charging.

As soon as I noticed that the charging indicator had turned off, I plopped myself down in my living room rocking chair to fiddle with the unit’s display settings.  The XMB menu was fairly easy to navigate since I was already used to it from both my TV and PS3, so I had made the necessary changes in no time flat.  It wasn’t until I attempted to play Dissidia, however, that I started to encounter problems.

Like other PSP games, Dissidia has a standard option that allows you to install a portion of the game onto a memory stick, letting you play the game with less loading time than you would have if you solely relied upon the UMD disc media.  Since this was a brand-new PSP, I decided that I had nothing to lose by opting for the largest installation file size option…and promptly got treated to a message that said “installation will take approximately an hour.”

I sat the PSP down (on edge) on the end table next to me and decided to go make supper while it was installing.  Forty-five minutes, a plate full of spaghetti, and a sink full of dishes later I returned to discover that the installation had been aborted.  Apparently the PSP had fallen flat on the “cancel” button when my cat decided to treat the living room furniture as his own private playground.  Not exactly the wisest decision on my part, leaving it unattended.

Since I actually wanted to play the game for a bit before I went to bed, I decided to re-try installing it in my office.  This time though I left the PSP on my desk face-up - well out of reach of the devil with fur – while I was cleaning the mess I call a workspace.  Another 30 minutes later or so and the game finished installing.

After playing the game for about an hour I decided that I should make sure that I had gotten the most recent system update before going to bed.  I set up the MAC filters on my wireless router, configured the wireless networking settings on the PSP and…nothing.  The thing didn’t respond.  I tried entering the WPA passphrase a second time to make sure that I didn’t miss any characters, but still it wouldn’t connect to the network.  I even tried doing it a third and fourth time to verify that I wasn’t doing anything wrong.

It was at this point that I started to panic a bit.  I had just purchased a new gadget and it wasn’t working properly.  Disappointed, I sat down to see if I could find anything online that would help me troubleshoot the problem.  It wasn’t until had been browsing Sony’s support site for at least 15 minutes that I realized I had never turned on the WLAN switch.

Apparently there’s a reason why you’re supposed to read instruction manuals…

Yesterday afternoon Sony finally confirmed a rumor that had been floating around “teh internets” for several months now: the existence of the PlayStation 3 "Slim."  Along with that announcement came details of a $100 price drop on existing “fat” PS3 models:

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/08/18/playstation-3-now-299-slimmer-version-coming-september-1st...

Since then a good number of customers have asked us if Best Buy will be honoring price matches on recent PS3 purchases.  In short, the answer is yes – but only if customers are still within the 30-day price match period for video game consoles.

The steps customers need to follow in order to obtain a price match vary depending upon where they made their purchase. For purchases made at one of our retail stores, customers simply need to return to their local store with a copy of the original receipt and speak with an associate at the customer service desk.  For online purchases, however, customers must contact our BestBuy.com support staff at 1-888-BEST-BUY (1-888-237-8289).

Looking for additional information regarding our price match policy?  Make sure to check out the links below!

Best Buy Retail Store Price Match Guarantee

BestBuy.com Price Match Guarantee

I tend to have a difficult time picking out birthday gifts for my family and friends - not because of personal indecision, but due to the same stubbornness and personality quirks that everyone seems to share.  My parents generally refuse to give a straight answer to the “What do you want?” question, my brother always answers with “I don’t know,” and the majority of my friends will go on and on about how they’d feel guilty for accepting any kind of gift.  It’s frustrating and almost invariably means that something is bound to be re-gifted six months down the line.

Well, my brother’s birthday is just around the corner and this past weekend I once again found myself at a loss regarding what to get him.  As usual, he hadn’t been very forthcoming about what he wants – he just said that he’d let me know when he thinks of something.  Without knowing it though he did manage to give me an idea.

No matter where he goes, my brother always lugs around with him an ancient Walkman CD player.  Along with that player comes a massive folder full of CDs, as well as a carrying case that looks like it is only being held together by the sheer willpower of an otherwise malevolent entity.  Needless to say, upon seeing him Tuesday afternoon walking around with the “Carry-All-That-Should-Not-Be” I decided that it was time to buy him an MP3 player – whether he wants one or not.

When I first started my search Tuesday evening the obvious big names came to mind: Apple, Microsoft, Samsung and Sony.  The field was narrowed down significantly though when I realized he probably would never use one without a built-in radio tuner.  Eventually, my search led me to the “Coming Soon” section of BestBuy.com and to the Zune HD.

My first thoughts of the Zune HD were that while it may not initially prove to be as app-friendly as the iPod, it does appear to promise at least one thing that the iPod cannot deliver: the ability to play back videos purchased through the Xbox Live Marketplace. What were my next thoughts?  I may have found the perfect match - my brother is an avid Xbox 360 player and would probably love the ability to bring downloaded Netflix videos wherever he goes.

Now, if it only came out before his birthday…

Ten years ago you would have been hard-pressed to find musical artists that distributed their work digitally.  Today, digital distribution seems to be part of the norm.  Whether that change was a result of the advent of the MP3 player, file sharing services, or fee-based subscription sites is uncertain, but it most definitely means that digital distribution is here to stay.

Imagine everyone’s surprise then when Sony confirmed at this year’s E3 convention that the next generation of their handheld console would be doing away with disc-based storage media entirely.  That’s right.  Not only does the “worst kept secret of E3” eschew the UMDs of its disc-based predecessors, but all “new” titles for the PSPgo will be available for download through the PlayStation Network as well.

Now, I have to admit that this news left me a bit skeptical at first – I like having a physical copy of everything I buy, especially video games.  It made sense though when I considered the popularity of online services such as iTunes and Napster.  Add in the fact that the PSPgo is expected to feature the same PS3 compatibility and software support as earlier PSP models and you’ve got a pretty convincing alternative to the iPod Touch.  True, there’s no direct access to the iTunes app store, but the primary purpose of the PSPgo is to play games…not to use as a Rolodex or egg timer.

Both the piano black and pearl white models are available for preorder on BestBuy.com, but for more information make sure to check out the official product page:

http://www.us.playstation.com/PSP/Systems/pspgo.html

...and yes, Kaz Hirai does actually call it the "worst kept secret of E3."  Don't believe me?  Check out his segment of the press conference at 28 minutes, 45 seconds into the video!

Call me old-fashioned, but I’ve always felt that sitting down with a good book generally beats the pants off anything that television has to offer.  Sure, I enjoy the occasional episode of NCIS and will sometimes watch shows like America’s Got Talent just to see the acts that didn’t quite make the cut.  I prefer, however, to let my own imagination run wild instead of relying upon someone else’s vision when discovering a new story.  It’s a lot more immersive for me that way.

Well, while “watching” one of said shows on an overhead monitor at the gym last night I caught a glimpse of something on another screen that I had been meaning to take a look into: an e-book reader.  I didn’t catch the exact model number, but it looked similar to one that I had seen every now and then on BestBuy.com.  As I learned when I got home the reader turned out to be Sony’s PRS-505, and it was being discussed in response to the following announcement:

http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_room/consumer/computer_peripheral/e_book/release/41133.html

Now, I’m not entirely convinced that cold, shiny metal and EPUB files will ever fully take the place of time-worn pages and paper cuts, but it’s certainly good to see that “classic literature” staples like Jane Austen, Robert Louis Stevenson, and George Bernard Shaw are being given exposure to a new generation in this medium.  I was also a bit surprised – and slightly amused – at the fact that one of the advertised books on the service’s landing page was Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451.

[Insert child-like giggling…here.]

I stopped playing World of Warcraft a number of months ago, but I’ve somehow managed to stay up-to-date with the latest patch notes and add-on details.  Of the changes made to the game since I cancelled my account, however, the only ones that have really managed to catch my attention weren’t even developed as in-game content.  Instead, they’re a mobile version of the World of Warcraft Armory and a third-party add-on program called TweetCraft.

By now I’m sure that most WoW players are familiar with the Armory.  It’s essentially a database that allows players around the globe to compare character builds, equipment, and arena rankings.  Well, Blizzard decided to take the idea of unfettered character information access one step further and developed an app version of the website for iPhone and iPod Touch.  No longer do players need to be shackled to their computers to check their raid schedules – they can now do it while they’re on the go, be it at lunch with friends, on an afternoon walk, or at the grocery store.

This caught my attention for a fairly obvious reason given the past two weeks’ posts: it’s yet another function that has been absorbed by a hand-held device.  It also gave me pause to wonder why there’s been no major push to create a PDA/cell phone/handheld console hybrid that doubles as an e-book yet.  Perhaps it’s simply a matter of a time before someone does.

TweetCraft, on the other hand, caught my attention because it combines two services that can both be seen as forms of social networking: Twitter and an MMO.  The add-on not only allows users to post messages on Twitter (and screenshots using Twitpic) without having to first Alt + Tab to a different window or exit the game, but it can even be set to auto-tweet whenever players log into their account or earn an in-game achievement.  After all, what better way could there possibly be to tell your guildmates it’s time to raid Ulduar than to send their cell phones screenshots of your character waiting impatiently at the entrance?

Now, it has yet to be seen if TweetCraft is in violation of Blizzard’s end-user license agreement (EULA) or its terms of service (TOS), but even if it is it’s still certainly an interesting concept.  For more information regarding either program though make sure to check out the following links:


World of Warcraft Mobile Armory
http://www.wowarmory.com/iphone.xml

TweetCraft
http://tweetcraft.codeplex.com/

Hello there world.  Welcome to the first official guest post to the Red Ring of Death.  That's right, no one has ever guest posted here before me.  Now that we have that cleared up, a little introduction may be in order.  My name is "Danger" Josh (Josh-BBY) and I work for Best Buy in an ultra top secret group designed to save customers from all sorts of dilemmas.  You are reading this because I am going to have my own blog here soon and, because I am impatient, Aaron-GS has allowed me to post here. Enjoy.

Today I had a chance to talk to Jamie, one of the kids that went to E3 (@jamieplesser on Twitter), and we are going to hear about some of the new and awesome things that are going to be coming your way very soon (in the gaming world that means this fall).

Danger: So just to start us off, what is it that you do here at Best Buy Corporate?

Jamie: I work in our consumer marketing department with a focus on some of our entertainment categories: video games and a growing musical instruments business.

Danger: You saw the sights at E3, what do you think coming out of there will be the hottest thing on the market this fall or beyond?

Jamie: I thought each of the console makers had some exciting news. Microsoft's Project Natal was spectacular; I was able to try out a demo and was amazed by the ability to interact without a controller.  Sony has some terrific new titles coming out for the PS3.  I was really excited by God of War III, Heavy Rain and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.   While not a Wii owner, I had a lot of fun trying out Wii Sports Resort with new Motion Controller Plus.

Danger: What are some of the highlights you saw from the different conferences: Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony, Ubisoft, etc?

Jamie: For me, it was more exciting to get hands on experience with some of the new games and technologies.  The press conferences definitely whet the appetite but there's nothing like getting your hands on some of the new games and giving them a test drive.

Danger: I was watching the live feeds from E3 just like a lot of people reading this, was there anything cool that we maybe haven't heard of that happened behind the scenes?

Jamie: Monday evening before the convention started, Activision hosted a party at the Wiltern Theater to celebrate their upcoming releases for Guitar Hero 5, DJ Hero and Band Hero.  I was fortunate enough to be on the guest list.  In addition to seeing some advance game play from the new titles, there were live music performances from Jay-Z and Eminem.   And as a big fan of live music, I appreciated getting to see a show from entertainers that don't always perform in small venues.

Danger: Who do you think "won" E3 as far as presentations and content?

Jamie: This may be clichéd, but I think it would be the video game fan and player.  There are some really intriguing titles coming out and new technologies on the way.  The hard thing is just waiting for them to make it to the market place.

Danger: Were you able to play MAG?  Do you think that will change the face of gaming for our customers?

Jamie: I didn't get a chance to but saw some folks playing it in the Sony booth.  The multiplayer capabilities are pretty crazy considering that you can have up to 256 people engaged in a single game.  I'm interested to see how that resonates with people...is it game changing?  I'm not sure.

Danger: You are a pretty big music fan, how did Rock Band: the Beatles and the new Guitar Hero stack up together?

Jamie: Both music game platforms are trying to make it easier for people to participate.  The new Guitar Hero game lets players jump in and out of action, and both GH 5 and Rock Band: the Beatles have modes where you can integrate various skills levels without detriment to the overall group.  And the Beatles title added a new dimension of offering three part harmonies.  From a personal preference standpoint, I enjoy the Rock Band franchise a bit more so I'm more likely to give the Beatles title a shot.  But there's no way I'm going to do the harmonies.  You don't want to hear me sing; I'm more of a guitar or bass kind of guy.

Wow, yeah that does sound like a lot of awesome new stuff is going to hit the market soon.  We couldn't cover everything that Jamie and I talked about here in this post but rest assured we'll be talking more to our gaming division (as well as many, many others) in the upcoming nameless blog that yours truly is going to be penning.

Hope you had a good time and please feel free to comment!

<3 "Danger" Josh

E3 is well under way in Los Angeles, and if the buzz surrounding the larger press conferences is any indication, this year should have some pretty exciting things in store for gamers. Nintendo announced a follow-up to their hit game Wii Fit, Sony revealed the next generation of the PSP, and Microsoft teased audiences with images of upcoming Facebook and Twitter features for the Xbox 360. What’s probably on most peoples’ minds though is the staggering number of new games that have been debuted at the show. Here are a few highlights of the major announcements and game trailers revealed so far:

Xbox 360 - Facebook & Twitter (Microsoft)
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-xbox-360/50026

PSP Go – Press Conference Footage & Trailers (Sony)
http://www.gametrailers.com/game/psp-go/11423

Assassin’s Creed 2 - Conference Gameplay & Official Trailer (Ubisoft)
http://www.gametrailers.com/game/assassins-creed-2/11094

The Beatles: Rock Band - Trailers & On-Stage Demo (Electronic Arts/Harmonix)
http://www.gametrailers.com/game/the-beatles-rock-band/11389

Final Fantasy XIII – Press Conference Trailer & Gameplay Footage (Square-Enix)
http://www.gametrailers.com/game/final-fantasy-xiii/2649

God of War III - Press Conference, Production Interview, & Gameplay Footage (SCEA)
http://www.gametrailers.com/game/god-of-war-iii/3455

Mass Effect 2 – Press Conference Footage (Electronic Arts/Bioware)
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-mass-effect/50095

Metroid: Other M – Debut Trailer (Nintendo)
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-metroid-other/50237

Star Wars: The Old Republic – Press Conference Footage & Cinematic Trailer (LucasArts/Bioware)
http://www.gametrailers.com/game/star-wars-the-old-republic/10449

For the latest information from the expo – and full broadcasts of each of the major press conferences - make sure to check out the official coverage over at G4TV or by following our own Jessica-RZGC on Twitter!

Looking for something a little more interactive? Make sure to swing by the forums around 12:00pm CST on Monday, June 8th for a live web chat with some of the creative minds behind the new PS3 exclusive inFamous!

This year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) convention is less than a month away and gamers worldwide are already chomping at the bit to catch a glimpse of what game developers have in store for them. While the convention is well-known to be a trade event open only to professionals working in the video game industry, gamers will have the opportunity to read all about the three-day-long event through their favorite magazines and websites. G4TV has even managed to secure what is being dubbed “unprecedented access” to the expo, promising viewers hands-on game demos, exclusive interviews, and live television coverage of five major press conferences.

So what kinds of events are scheduled to take place? In addition to press conferences held by Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has promised two high-profile charitable events: a blood drive sponsored by the American Red Cross, and a celebrity vs. military personnel video game challenge sponsored by the nonprofit military support organization “Pro vs. GI Joe.” Video game enthusiasts can even enter the E3 2009 T-shirt Contest up until May 14th, with the winning design being unveiled on the opening day of the expo.

E3 Expo Gives Back to the Community

More information regarding the happenings at this year’s E3 will be posted once the convention gets underway, so rest assured that new and exciting things will be coming your way through Best Buy’s Community Forum in the coming weeks. Reading about E3 isn’t exactly your cup of tea? Don’t worry! There are a number of other gaming conventions out there that are always open to the general public:

Penny Arcade Expo (PAX)

When it was initially launched, many avid gamers considered the backwards compatibility touted by Sony’s PlayStation 3 (PS3) to be one of the console’s largest selling points.  Not only was the console promised to bring the next generation of home theater entertainment (Blu-ray) to consumer’s homes, but it would also allow owners to continue playing many of their older favorite PS2 and PS1 titles.  As each new PS3 model has been released however, the availability of this function has been brought into question – so much, in fact, that the console’s backwards compatibility continues to remain one of the most searched for issues on Sony’s PS3 support website: http://www.us.playstation.com/support/ps3.

So which models are backwards compatible and which ones aren’t?  To answer this question, Sony provided the following FAQ.  The FAQ itself has undergone several changes since the PS3’s initial launch, with the most recent revision taking place on 11/03/2008.  In summary though, the only North American PS3 models that have been acknowledged to be backwards compatible are the original 20GB and 60GB models released in 2006, as well as the first wave of 80GB models released in 2007.  The 40GB model, the second and third wave of 80GB models (released in 2008), and the upcoming 160GB model unfortunately do not support this feature.

Well, why are only some PS3 models backwards compatible?  It’s simple, really.  The original 20GB and 60GB models included a built-in processor called the “Emotion Engine.”  This processor was primarily intended for use within PS2’s, and was later integrated into early PS3 models to achieve backwards compatibility to PS2 and PS1 games.  The Emotion Engine processor was then later removed in favor of software emulation on the first wave of 80GB models.  Both the Emotion Engine and emulation software were ultimately removed from subsequent generations of PS3’s – in theory – to save production costs.

Just because you may own a PS3 model that is backwards compatible though, does not necessarily mean that every PS2 or PS1 game will function on your console.  Due to the differences in how the software and hardware was designed, PS3’s may encounter some technical difficulties when attempting to play PS1 and PS2 titles.  While the most common problems encountered are generally minor graphical errors, some major glitches (such as stalling) have been known to occur.  More information on individual game titles may be found here on Sony’s support site, as well as additional notes regarding what users may expect to encounter during gameplay.

So, your Xbox 360 has finally bit the dust and you’re wondering what’s next.  Do you turn it into a doorstop?  Do you use it as a paperweight?  Do you know what kind of coverage you have on the console?  If your answers to those questions weren’t “no,” “no,” and “yes,” you’re in for a pleasant surprise!

Xbox 360 consoles sold within the United States all come with a standard, one-year factory warranty.  This means that for one year after the console’s purchase, you can obtain service and technical support directly through the console’s manufacturer, Microsoft.  Similar protection also applies to any included accessories (such as controllers), but only for a 90-day period for these products.  Additionally, as of July 5^th, 2007, Microsoft officially extended the manufacturer’s warranty on Xbox 360’s to three years, but only for “three flashing red light” issues (general hardware faults, often referred to as the 'Red Ring of Death').

As stated in the previous entry, service can be obtained two different ways: by visiting Microsoft’s Xbox support website or by calling 1-800-4MY-XBOX (1-800-469-9269).  Keep in mind that the preferred method of contact is by phone, as you may need to speak with a support agent in order to arrange shipping for any necessary repairs.

In the event that you purchased a Best Buy ® Product Replacement Plan (PRP), you always have another option available.  Customers that purchased PRP coverage for their console can file a defective product claim by calling our toll-free PRP hotline at 1-888-539-6883.  Once you’ve done so, we ship you a postage-paid mailing envelope (or sticker) so that you can send the defective product back to us.  After it’s been received, Best Buy ® then sends you a voucher/gift card for the original purchase price of the console that you can then use towards any product you like at your local store or on BestBuy.com.

Alternatively, if you purchased Geek Squad ® Black Tie Protection for your Xbox 360 you may always return to your local store’s repair counters for further assistance.  Some markets may even offer a Rapid Exchange program, but you’ll need to speak with an associate on-site for further information and program availability.

Please keep in mind that if your console is beyond the 30-day return/exchange period and you do not have either PRP or GSBTP coverage, you may be referred directly to the manufacturer for service and support.  Best Buy ® is currently unable to repair many video game consoles, and cannot guarantee an immediate in-store exchange under factory warranty for such products.

Research for post done by Aaron-GS

It's never fun when your favorite electronic gadgets aren't working properly.  You can't watch your favorite TV shows, record movies, or even play video games.  On top of the frustration of having to deal with mechanical failures, there may not even be a guide available to help you decipher what's wrong in the first place.  As such, here are a few suggestions that should help owners of Microsoft Xbox 360's address one of the most commonly reported issues with that console: the "Red Ring of Death."

Each Xbox 360 comes equipped with a ring of four LED lights that surround the power button on the console itself.  During normal operation these lights should remain green.  In the event of a hardware failure however, one to all four of these lights will instead display red.  The severity of the failure is generally indicated by the number of lights that appear at any given time, with four lights indicating a minor technical issue and one light indicating a severe problem.

Four red lights normally indicate that the Xbox 360 cannot detect the audio-visual (AV) cable.  This typically means that the AV cable has not been connected correctly, may not be fully inserted into the console, or simply might be defective.  In each of these instances, there should not be any signal displayed on your TV.  It is important to note though that this error does not occur on Xbox 360 models that have a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) AV port.

To resolve this problem, you may wish to try disconnecting and reconnecting the AV cable.  Make sure to clean the connections first using a dry, soft and clean cloth, as surface contaminants (dust, lint, pet hair, etc.) may interfere with the signal.  In the event that double-checking your connections does not work, you may need to try using a different AV cable instead.  Remember that if you're not quite sure how to connect these cables yourself, you can always visit the following website for step-by-step instructions on how to do so:

Four Red Lights & Connection Guide

Whenever three red lights appear, this is often what most Xbox 360 owners will refer to as the actual "Red Ring of Death."  This unfortunately means a general hardware failure has occurred and that the unit may need to be shipped directly to Microsoft for service and repairs.  Before doing so however, it is strongly recommended that you verify what color the light is on the unit's power supply.  This light should remain green, even if red lights appear on the Xbox 360 console.

In the event that the light on the power supply is red, the power supply may have either overheated or may not be receiving the correct electrical current.  If this light is orange, the power supply may not be correctly connected to the wall socket or console. If this light is not illuminated at all, this may be a sign that the power supply has come unplugged or has failed entirely.  Regardless of the color the light is on the power supply, you'll want to follow the steps below:

1)      Disconnect the power supply from the console and wall socket.

2)      Allow the power supply to cool for several hours, especially if it is warm to the touch.

3)      Reconnect the power supply.

If the three red lights remain (and the power supply appears fully functional), you'll need to contact Microsoft for further assistance.

Two red lights then, is usually an indicator that the Xbox 360 console has overheated or does not currently have proper ventilation.  This can usually be solved by moving the console to a more opened area and allowing it to cool for several hours.  Remember that just like any other electronic device, Xbox 360's require air circulation to remain within their ideal operating conditions.  By keeping the console in an enclosed area or near a heat source (such as a radiator or heat register), you may be inviting hardware failure due to excessive internal heat.

Lastly, one red light typically indicates that the console's hard drive may have encountered a problem.  Generally it is suggested to remove the hard drive and all connected components - then reconnect them - to resolve this issue.  If the single light persists despite doing so, again you may need to contact Microsoft directly for further support.

Should repairs prove to be necessary, service requests can be made by either calling Microsoft's toll-free hotline at 1-800-4MY-XBOX (1-800-469-9269) or by visiting the following website:

Microsoft Xbox Support