Behringer U Control UCA202 USB Audio Interface Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This thing is great. I needed to bypass my crappy soundcard on my PC in order to record high quality stereo audio onto my computer for a podcast. I had just shelled out $80 for the Inport Deluxe package from Xitel, which is basically a little analog-audio-to-USB adapter box similar to this, with a long audio cable and some bad software thrown in to justify the steep pricetag. Luckily I saved the receipt on the Inport and was able to take it back after discovering this item, which you can find for about $30 all over the internet.
The UCA202 has a headphone jack with a volume control so you can monitor what's being recorded to your computer, as you record it. Just be aware that you won't be able to listen to the playback from your audio recording software through your computer's monitor speakers unless you unplug this device from your USB port first, and there is no warning about this in the manual, which is why the 4 star review instead of 5. On some review sites there seemed to be confusion about what drivers were required to work with this device, but the first page of the manual states clearly that you don't need any drivers. I am running Windows XP and was able to just plug and play, no drivers needed, audio is loud and clear. By the way this is not a paid endorsement or anything, I just wanted to spare someone else a lot of the research time that I spent by saying, go ahead and get it.
Oh and of course you do need a good audio recording software like ProTools, Sound Forge, or Cubase to do a decent job of recording audio on your computer and letting you edit it and manipulate it with professional sounding results. If you are recording audio from a turntable (digitizing your LP collection) don't forget that you need some sort of preamp or tuner amp between the phonograph and this device. The output straight out of your turntable is too weak a signal to drive this device.
A grateful shout-out and mad props for this device go the Germans at Behringer, who designed it.

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Microsoft Plus for Windows XP Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought Plus for XP, recently, then I installed it. I was expecting a Microsoft Plus that added great features like Plus 98. But, it was nothing like that. First, there was 4 measily little themes. And the fish screen saver, which if you want more fish, you'd have to pay for it. Well what was the $...for anyway? And the games! For heavens sake. Why put a stinkin lite edition into a $...collection of programs. And there are other programs that I might not fool with anyway.
For those who are looking to buy this, please note that you at least need a 500 megahertz computer, 64MB of RAM, and a 3D video card with 16, I repeat 16MB of video memory.
If Microsoft had added such things as an Antivirus to the program, more desktop themes, FULL EDITION Games, and less steep requirements, then I'd recommend this to everyone.
So if your at the store, leave this on the shelf!!!
PS - This program is a prime example of Bloatware.

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With Microsoft Plus! for Windows XP, you can personalize your computer experience like never before. Built exclusively to take advantage of the power of Windows XP, Microsoft Plus! delivers exciting new features for digital music, gaming, photos, and more. Tailor your digital audio and video to your own tastes, challenge yourself with a variety of fun and exciting games, and customize the look and feel of your desktop with amazingly lifelike screen savers and images.
Everything you need to amplify your audio and video experience is included. Use the power of your voice to control Windows Media Player without lifting a finger. Easily create colorful, customized CD covers, labels, and inserts, and automatically add your own track listings and artwork using Plus! CD Label Maker. Enjoy stunning 3-D visualization effects, vibrant speaker enhancements, and a powerful personal DJ for automatically creating custom playlists in Windows Media Player. Quickly and easily convert your library of MP3 files to Windows Media Audio (WMA), saving valuable space on your hard drive.
Challenge yourself with fun and exciting new games. Take the fun and excitement of bowling in 3-D into the streets of ancient Rome with HyperBowl Plus! Edition. Labyrinth Plus! Edition rolls the classic tabletop labyrinth game into a 3-D world filled with vibrant visuals and sounds. Test your skills for quick thinking and strategy with Russian Square, an intense new puzzle game for fans of Tetris.
Customize your computer with 3-D graphics and photos. Personalize your computer with exciting new desktop visuals, including eight photorealistic 3-D screen savers and four enhanced themes, including wallpapers, screen savers, media player skins, and much more. Watch exotic fish come to life on your desktop in this amazingly lifelike recreation of a marine aquarium or display your favorite photos in a variety of custom-animated 3-D photo galleries. Even add your favorite background music.

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