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The new version of K-Lite Codec Pack comes with updates for Media Player Classic, ffdshow, CoreAVC, AC3Filter, AC3Filter.ACM and for FLV splitter.

K-Lite Codec Pack is a codec package with a friendly interface, suitable for all movie file types.
Its installation is customizable while the uninstallation removes all the files installed and cleans even the registry keys.
It can detect broken codecs and filters and helps in removing them.

What differentiates it among other codec packs is the fact that it has been very well tested and it never encounters problems related to codecs conflicts.

Codecs contained include DirectShow filters used in encoding and decoding of audio and video files, and VFW/ACM codecs.

The package comes in 5 versions, from Basic that contains the base things like DivX and XviD, to Corporate Edition focused on open-source software, so novice and experts to have what to choose from.

The software is compatible with Windows 2000, XP, 2003 and Vista.

Corvus5 developed a new version of the karaoke software UltraStar, inspired by SingStar, an interactive game type that allows users to select one of their favorite songs and sing along to the original recordings while watching the original video on the screen.
Unlike SingStar that was designed for PlayStation consoles, UltraStar is suited for PCs.

It has the special ability to evaluate how good a person sings by analyzing the voice pitch, helping in improving this talent.

While the original song is played, the lyrics are shown and a grey bar displays the pitch and length of the sound.

The blue bar shows the voice of the person singing and whether he/she sung false or accurate. While the way of singing is improved in time, points are accumulated and the person will receive evaluations ranging between “amateur” and “lead singer”.

What UltraStar 0.5.3 brings new are the line bonus, improved soundcards managing, simple microphone echo, and many new themes support.
It can be downloaded from here.

This month Yahoo Messenger encountered problems with malicious webcam viewing invitations sent by hackers.
This could be avoided if the users won’t accept the invitation.

According to Yahoo "For this specific security issue, Messenger exits unexpectedly after accepting a webcam invitation from a malicious attacker".

After the critical flaws in the webcam feature discovered in June and the webcam exploit this month, Yahoo released the patched version of Messenger, 8.1.0.416.

Yahoo Messenger users have two options for the moment: to wait for the auto-update to prompt them or to download the latest version.

The problem is time, because "Over the next several weeks, users worldwide will be prompted to update to a new version of Messenger upon signing into the service," according to Yahoo.

The fifth alpha version of Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon linux-based operating system was released.
Tribe 5 can be downloaded by its users using the command "sudo update-manager –d", or from here.

The sixth and final tribe version will come out at the beginning of September, the beta version on September 27 and the final Ubuntu 7.10 is expected in October.

What this version brings new are the GNOME 2.20.0 beta 1 with a lot of bug fixes, a better graphics hardware settings tool for simplifying dual monitor configuration, and a package management integration for Firefox add-ons.

The new printer management system replaces the old gnome-cups-manager tool with a printer management application from Fedora, and can create a virtual "PDF printer" by default.

Other features include the plug-in finder service for Firefox, allowing the selection of third-party plug-ins for Flash and video playback, and an install/remove extension manager modeled after the distributions add/remove programs dialog.

The users are able to choose between two players, Adobe and Gnash.

MPlayer, VLC and GXine are the included among the available video plug-ins from the plug-in finder service.

Sony plans to offer the video downloading feature to its PlayStation 3.

The programs that will be available in its ‘Go!’ service in 2008 will include entertainment, music, movies, sports and animation from Sky and in Europe it will be the first service of its kind.

The other innovation is PlayTV, a device that allows users to record television and transfer it to PS3 and PSP.
The DVR software together with the TV tuners will record the programs and the Digital Video Broadcasting technology will be used for accessing them.

Sky is in charge with developing the application and interface, while Sony manages the marketing part.

David Reeves, Computer Entertainment Europe president of Sony said that “This really will make PSP the standout all-in-one portable gaming, video and music device."

It seems that Sony intends to cover a larger range of tastes, among gamers and people that are looking for entertainment.