CyberLink has just launched a new version of its popular multimedia software, MediaShow 6. A powerful yet simple software intended to assists users to quickly and logically organize media in different ways, apply simple fixes or enhance them with stylistic elements. With the help of some simple yet advanced tools you could share photos and videos to social communities or burn them to DVD or Blu-ray Discs for watching them at home. And the new version of the software comes with support for importing, organization and playback of 3D photos and 3D videos (along with the traditional support for 2D media of course). You should also be able to quickly correct and fine tune video and photo imperfections on both 2D and 3D media, create stylish slideshows using 2D or 3D photos, animated text effects and transitions and then burn the finished composition is stereo 3D format as well.
CyberLink’s MediaShow 6 comes in two versions, an Ultra one available for $69.95 USD and a slightly more limited in terms of extra functionality Deluxe version available for $49.95 USD. In the Deluxe version you are not able to edit 3D photos and videos, autoconvert 2D media to 3D and burn 3D DVD/Blu-ray/AVCHD discs, these features are only present in MediaShow 6 Ultra. MediaShow 6 should come with support for the following 3D display solutions: Nvidia 3D Vision, 3D Ready HDTVs, micro-polarizer 3D LCD (passive 3D) as well as anaglyph red/cyan glasses. There is a trial version of the software available, so you can download and try it if you are interested…
Today Microsoft has officially released Windows 8 Consumer Preview version of their multi-platform upcoming operating system that will be able to work not only on traditional x86-based platforms, but also on mobile devices. Have in mind that this is a pre-release operating system or something like a beta software and you may have issues with it should you decide to try it out, do not try replacing your current operating system with this one, you have to install it separately just to test it out and not over your existing Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7. There may be some issues with no drivers available for some of your hardware, although drivers from Windows 7 might also work, the same goes for the video drivers as well, although the new Windows 8 will have a new driver model that will be required to support all the new features, including native stereoscopic 3D support.
Currently Nvidia has not yet made available any beta drivers intended to be used with the just released Windows 8 Consumer Preview, what they recommend however is to install the R295.73 display drivers for Windows 7/Windows Vista on Windows 8, they should work, but again you may not get all the features available with them. On the other hand AMD has just released AMD Catalyst Drivers for Windows 8 Consumer Preview that you can download and install. And although these beta drivers from AMD are supposed to offer Full WDDM 1.2 support, including the native stereo 3D support, they are not compatible with the latest generation of AMD Radeon HD 7900 Series, and AMD Radeon HD 7700 Series video cards, but only with the older models.
Feel free to download and try the new Windows 8 Consumer Preview version and to report how well it works for you and on what hardware, and also if you’ve tried playing in stereo 3D mode on your stereoscopic 3D-capable system. I’m already downloading it and am eager to check out the Native Stereo 3D support with the AMD Catalyst Driver 8.93.7 RC10 while waiting fro Nvidia to have a WDDM 1.2 beta driver released to also try it out.
Today we should finally get a new patch for the game Battlefield 3 and this patch is apparently going to be what all stereo 3D gamers were expecting to get when thegame was released – official stereoscopic 3D support. This update will include a major client update for the PC version as well as a server-side update for all platforms and it is expected to be available on November 22nd 7:00 AM UTC / November 21st 11:00 PM PST. Below you will find the release notes for the patch:
—- Client-Side Changes:
– Visuals, Stability and Performance Fixes:
• General performance and loading time improvements
• “Black Screen” fix for an issue occurring on some PC Configurations
• Stereo and Rendering Support for Nvidia and AMD Graphics Cards
• Adjusted the “stuttering” encountered on some PC configurations.
• Fixed several Crashes when joining MP and Co-Op sessions
• Fixed multiple problems when using multiple monitors (Eyefinity / Surround).
• Fixed visual corruption issues on certain Nvidia Cards
• Improved loading times for certain textures
• Added console command “GameTime.MaxVariableFps” to limit max FPS
• Added console command “UI.DrawEnable” to hide UI for screenshots / videos
– Balance and Gameplay Adjustments (PC)
• Fixed a problem with high speed mouse movement
• Added back some missing Growlers on Kharg Island Conquest Large
• Added back EOR sound for SQDM and TDM
• You should no longer be able to damage a friendly vehicle when sitting in an open position
• Grenades now drop to ground if you get killed while attempting to throw it(note the affect this will have on Hardcore mode!)
• Spawn protection now should work in Conquest. You should no longer spawn on points too close to enemies
• You should no longer spawn too close to enemies in TDM and SQDM
• Combat areas on Kharg Rush tweaked in order to disallow defenders to access the carrier ship after 1st base is taken and being able to enter the AA gun
• Fixed a problem with revived players not suffering suppression
• Fixed a problem with the camera when being revived in COOP
• Added joystick deadzone setting
• Fixed sound for when climbing ladders
• Fixed an issue with some weapon sounds in first person
• Fixed a swim sound loop error
• Increased the damage of Helicopter Miniguns, AA guns, and Jet Cannons against infantry
• Increased the damage of Helicopter Miniguns against jeeps.
• Reduced the physics impact of AA guns and Jet Cannons, players under attack from these weapons should no longer lose control.
• Increased the damage of the 44 Magnum slightly.
• Increased the range and minimum damage of the .357 Round from the MP412 Rex.
• Increased the range of all .45cal and 9mm weapons.
• Slightly increased the range of the P90 and MP7 and PDW-R.
• Slightly increased the range of the 5.56mm PDW-R and decreased the minimum damage at long range.
• Slightly increased the minimum range of the Mk11, SVD, and M39 EMR 7.62mm rifles.
• Decreased the maximum damage and maximum range of the G3 and SCAR-H 7.62mm weapons.
• Reduced the damage from FIM-92 and SA-18 IGLA missiles against aircraft.
• Increased the damage and range of the 40mm BUCK rounds.
• Reduced the damage .50cal weapons do against Helicopters.
• Updated T90 canister shell tweaks to match Abrams canister shells
UI Changes (PC)
• Added round duration and ticket summary at EOR
• Advanced squad polish – should be more intuitive
• Significant changes to the Join Squad functionality (see below)
• Fixed a problem regarding keybindings while playing
• You should now get a better error message when being disconnected via Battlelog
—- Server Update Highlights
• EOD Bot exploit fix
• Several crash fixes
• Anti-stat padding measures taken, disallowing ranked servers to run obscure settings
• Improved team kill kick configuration
• Support for unranked servers. Unranked servers do not report players’ scores to Battlelog, but server administrators can freely control all settings
– Share your profile and stats with new Battlelog functionality
• Ability to share your Profile and Stats pages to Facebook, Google+, and Twitter
• User Profile and Stats pages on Battlelog can now be accessed without being signed in to Battlelog if you know a user’s URL
• Single sign on from Battlelog to Origin. If you’re not logged in to Origin and join a game server, Battlelog will automatically sign you in to Origin in the background and join the game server
– Quick notes on Squad changes in the Nov 22 update
• Removed FIND ME A SQUAD option
• Allow players to join empty Squads alone, thus having 1/4 squad members
• Change order of options to LEAVE SQUAD, INV A FRIEND, SWITCH TEAM
• Disable Privacy flag when 1 man squad
• Reset Privacy flag from Private to Public when squad drops to 1 player
• All occupied Squads will now show up colored blue on the Squad Selection screen
• Players who choose not to join squads will also show up as Blue in the “Not in a Squad” line
• Squads that are currently empty will display as white — if you wish to join an empty Squad, you can choose the first one marked with white text
– A detailed look at Squad refinements
A detailed look at Squad refinements
Today’s PC client patch features numerous tweaks to Squad functionality and is part of our ongoing efforts to make it easier to play with friends and Platoon mates. These changes will also be implemented for consoles when we release the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 updates shortly. Stay tuned for the exact date of the console updates.
First, we need to look at how joining with Squads and Platoons affects the balance of teams. Initially, servers are commanded to equal out each side, so joining with friends can impact that balance while joining with Platoons further hinders this. As a result we have made some adjustments to the in-game Squad management screen.
For PC, you are now able to highlight the various Squads and select which one you wish to join by selecting a Squad and then clicking the Join Squad button. Please note that the Squad Privacy option still allows 2 man Squads which, during 64 player sessions, can lead to players with no squad position –- the number of people with no Squads will be shown at the bottom of the Squad selection list.
After the patch is applied to consoles (in the near future) you will be able to join Squads by cycling through the list and selecting which Squad you wish to join.
The most important thing in this patch is the “Stereo and Rendering Support for Nvidia and AMD Graphics Cards” which should mean the game now officially supports stereo 3D output, rendered natively and just outputting it using AMD and Nvidia’s stereo 3D solutions. If you have already updated and tried the the game in stereo 3D mode after applying the update you are mote then welcome to share your feedback from it…
