Here’s a look at some multimedia peripherals that can add excitement to the DVD release of a former member of the Fab Four’s first two concerts in the former Soviet Union.
Paul McCartney in Red Square, from NewVideo for DVD-enabled home entertainment centers and computers, $24.95; Ear Subs, from Headbanger Audio, stand-alone product requiring two AAA batteries, $29.99; and LS-3700 Digital Karaoke System, from Leadsinger, stand-alone product, $149.99.
To take full advantage of an “at home” Beatle-fest, fans should first watch Sir Paul work through 31 tracks’ worth of his — and his former bands’ — greatest hits via a single DVD.
Recorded in 2003 and covering a pair of concerts given in Moscow and St. Petersburg, the musical journey has Mr. McCartney and his band performing for more than 100,000 concertgoers, offering such ditties as “Helter Skelter,” “We Can Work It Out,” “Band on the Run” and “Live and Let Die.”
The digitally remastered release provides almost three hours of memories and can be heard in Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound or DTS Digital 5.1 Surround.
Although the bonus features are almost nonexistent — not even an optional pop-up track to sing along with the tunes — viewers do get a pair of adrenaline-filled shows. A screen of Web addresses for more information (it would have been nice if the links worked for computer users) is included, as are a couple of featurettes showing the impact of the Beatles in Russia and chronicles of the Red Square performance.
Users enjoying the DVD via a portable player or computer with headphone jack might also consider a pair of Ear Subs. These new personal audio enhancers combine electronic amplified subwoofers (using an additional power source requiring two AAA batteries, which are included) with comfortable ear buds at a digestible price.
The product quickly succeeds by delivering a loud, clear audio experience with plenty of bass. Although the package comes with multiple ways to harness the cigarette-lighter-size extra amplifier (with a belt clip, metal clip and neck lanyard), it still can be cumbersome for runners using MP3 players, but it does an impressive job for stationary listeners.
So, once the DVD concerts have been thoroughly appreciated, fans also might want to try to duplicate some of Mr. McCartney’s performances.
This potential humiliation arrives in the form of a microphone loaded with 300 built-in songs ready for butchering. Yes, the fine art of warbling has been confined to a vocal enhancer in the All-in-One Digital Karaoke System.
After plugging the microphone’s cords into a television’s audio-video jacks and into an electrical socket, singers can quickly select songs such as “Back in the U.S.S.R.,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Get Back” and “Hey Jude” simply by using a numbered keypad and tiny LCD screen built into the microphone.
The device also allows the crooner to adjust the mike, guide melody and music volume; preselect a set of songs; and tweak pitch, tempo and echo.
It even allows partyers to play a game as teams of singers perform randomly selected songs, with the mike scoring each performance. I have no idea on what the scoring was based, but I thought my soulful rendition of “Let It Be” deserved more than a 62.
Although I would like to have better volume control for the vocals, deeper orchestration and more suitable background pictures displayed on-screen as users follow the lyrics (nothing like singing Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are” while staring at a pasture of cows), the pricey musical companion still makes for an excellent party game.
If 300 songs do not quench the vocal thirst, singers can purchase additional cartridges to extend the unit’s tune memory.
These song chips (averaging $59.95 each) include targeted compilations such as Vegas and Elvis (200 songs), alternative/modern rock (150 songs), contemporary Christian music (100 songs) and Christmas (70 songs).
Write to Joseph Szadkowski, The Washington Times, 3600 New York Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002; or send e-mail (jszadkowski@washington times.com).
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