Opinion

Samsung SyncMaster S27A850D review: Are we impressed by its new panel tech?

For those of us without disposable incomes, spending more than a couple hundred dollars on a monitor requires a little justification. When it comes to expensive monitors, there's usually a professional justification, as pro graphics artists require precise image clarity and the more expensive monitors are more likely to be suited to the task.

The S27A850D is decently priced for a professional monitor of its size. It's also the first full-size display to use Samsung's Plane Line Switching (PLS) panel tech, which offers brighter screens at a lower cost of power. The level of performance is about on par with a high-end In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel like what the Dell UltraSharp U2711 houses.

But does the S27A850D offer enough in performance and features to really make it a good investment?

Check out the full review to find out.

More reviews can be easily accessed from the monitor hub. … Read more

A third serving of Uncharted territory

The Uncharted series, which has quickly become the staple franchise of the PlayStation 3, has won over hard-core and casual gamers alike with its lighthearted action gameplay, witty characters, and amazing sense of adventure.

The third title in the series promises to up the ante even higher, so it's back to the jungle we go with our look at Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception.

Jeff:Nathan Drake has got to have the best and worst luck in the history of video game characters. But that's why Uncharted games are such a thrill to play. Each sequential title in the franchise puts Drake in a bigger mess than before, tasking players to find new ways to save his life over and over again.

Maybe more so than any other game out there, Uncharted 3 plays much more like a Hollywood blockbuster than it does a conventional video game. It's the first title you'd want to show off to nongamers, with the hope they would then realize all the fun they're missing out on.

Veterans and newcomers to the Uncharted series will get sucked right in, as the early hours of gameplay are much more varied than what's been presented in the past. Naughty Dog has also again raised the bar on dictating compelling narrative, as Uncharted 3 makes the characters even more relatable and likable than ever before. Plus, I'm not sure there's a better musical score in all of games. … Read more

Real-life ghostbusting at the Tally Ho tavern

ERIN, Wisc.--Break out the proton packs and keep an eye out for "orbs." We're going ghost hunting.

Obviously, Halloween is the season for haunted houses, so I decided to visit an alleged real one with the sort of ghost investigators we see all over TV these days on shows like "Most Haunted," "Paranormal State," and "Ghost Hunters." Viewers enjoy plenty of green-tinted night vision video and grown-ups taunting would-be poltergeists in empty rooms, but good luck spotting proof of a ghost. In fairness, in this age of CG enhancements and photo manipulation, we could end up with a high-def image of a transparent Abe Lincoln writing, "I'm a ghost, you four-score and 20 idiots!"--and we'd scream "ILM!" I would trust only my naked eyes.

So, earlier this month I tagged along with the Washington County Paranormal to get an idea of the methods and homespun technology they use to chase down ghosts. … Read more

Donald's Halloween sound effects how-tos

Halloween is a time for candy, a time for creativity, and a time for scaring the living crap out of people. The secret ingredient for creating true terror: sound.

I don't care how many Jason masks or buckets of fake blood you have, we've seen it all before. The props are played out. We're desensitized. A scary sound, however, triggers the darkest parts of our imagination in ways that are so primal, it transcends even the most shocking gore.

Don't take my word for it. Go back and watch the scariest moments of any horror film, close your eyes, and you'll realize what a huge role sound plays in making something scary. Whether it's John Carpenter's soundtrack to "Halloween" or John Williams' score to "Jaws," it's the sound that puts you on the edge of your seat. … Read more

Crave in Comments: From poop-scooping bots to HP PCs

Halloween is nearly upon us, sure to usher in ghoulish tricks and treats. While I cannot give you any candy, I was able to find some tasty comments for you to nibble on until the big day. I'm still deciding what I want to be for Halloween, but it's very likely I will be Ace Ventura. How about you?

In regard to PR2 robot learns to scoop poop:

For 400,000 dollars (the cost of PR2), you could hire someone for over a decade to pick up dog poop. --by Paramorekor

In regard to AeroShot: Ditch the coffee, huff your caffeine:

I would love to see someone try to sneak something that looks like a shotgun shell through the TSA. What? This thing contains a white powder? I don't see any issues. --by Petriedish

preGame 62: Battlefield 3, Uncharted 3

It's a double-dose of blockbuster titles on today's preGame as we demo Uncharted 3 and Battlefield 3!

We'll also check out how professional gaming is gaining some major traction with sites like Twitch.tv, which allow gamers of all levels to upload and share live and recorded game play sessions.

Got an idea for preGame? E-mail us! pregame [at] cnet [dot] com.

Be sure to subscribe to the show: RSS (video) | iTunes (video)

Data backup: Top portable drives for home users (roundup)

Having up-to-date backups of your data is like insurance, we all need it and at the same time never want to have to resort to it.

Though backing up data is not required by law, the consequences of not doing it are often so huge that it's fair to call those who don't frequently back up their important data, well, reckless, irresponsible, or just simply foolish. The truth is, when you realize that the originals of your important documents or photos are gone because of a hard-drive crash or losing your laptop, being called names is the least of your worries.

Now there's an easy fix. Here's a list of our top portable hard drives that make backing up data a no-brainer. Take a look and get yourself one if you don't already have a backup solution in place. … Read more

Crave in Comments: From recycled bras to brazen bills

Crave in Comments is sort of like a recurring awards show. While we don't have the funds to dole out fancy golden trophies and plaques for the standout comments of the week, you could win your very own spot in this feature. Like these five people:

In regard to Japanese turn used bras into fuel:

This definitely gives new meaning to the idea of "bra-burning." --by T-Guy

In regard to MacBook Air gets elemental with Earth, Water, Fire:

All we need now is the MacBook Heart. Then we will have the ability to combine their powers and bring forth an environmentalist edition of Steve Jobs' spectre to fight off evil corporations that are polluting the environment! --by Rozencrantz14

Early peek at new Assassin's Creed, animated short

SAN FRANCISCO--In a quiet alleyway here, Ubisoft gave members of the media an early preview of Assassin's Creed: Revelations and the final travels of Ezio Auditore.

For the uninitiated, the Assassin's Creed series chronicles heroic members of a secret society of skilled professional killers that fight corruption and oppression. The games are deliberately steeped in historical research as each game educates players on the era it's set in and real power players of the period--if players choose to take a moment to read the game notes.

In the new game, Ezio, hero of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, leaves Rome behind for Constantinople in search of a weapon that could forever end a war between Ezio's assassins and the Knights Templar. Journalists had the opportunity to play the game for about three hours, uninterrupted--including the entire map of the great Middle Eastern city. … Read more

Crave in Comments: From Superman to Star Wars

Our first week with CNET's redesign has passed pretty smoothly. The format changes also will change how Crave in Comments is displayed, and I think it looks quite fancy. I'll even go above and beyond reason and say the comments are HD-quality. After a couple more redesigns, we'll be pitching you comments in 3D!

In regard to Man turns to surgery to become Superman:

He probably spends a lot of time in his Fortress of Solitude. --by mike_m_ekim

In regard to See Germany's nuclear plant turned family playground:

Laughing at the guy behind the car wrapped by mutant spiders. --by miky500