Yoostar Score: 87% Developer: Yoostar Device Type: System

Function: The success of Rock Band and Guitar Hero has shown there is big money and potential when it comes to social entertainment. But, for every aspiring rock star, there's an aspiring actor. Cue Yoostar. In a cruder sense, Yoostar is "karaoke for movies." The system is a do-it-yourself digital effects studio where you can film yourself and friends in front of a green screen and, with a few mouse clicks, insert yourself into scenes from The Blues Brothers, Sesame Street and many more.

Performance: The Yoostar system comes with everything you need right out of the box; all you need to provide is a computer and the ability to let yourself go. The included 2-megapixel camera may not sound incredibly impressive from the outset, but produces a clear, crisp image that fits right in with the movie footage. Setup and use is easy. The 6x6 green screen comes with a retractable stand, while the camera includes it's own tripod. The neck extension is long, though you may need to place it on a table for extra height. If you happen to have access to a tri-pod, an adapter is included. Working with green screen is a pain. If you've ever tried to key things out using AfterEffects, you know a little bit of image is always lost. The YooStar software does a really good job handling masking out everything but the performer and inserting you in the scene. The screen itself is great, to the point that I'm even considering using it over the "professional" green screen at work. As far as technical know-how goes, all you need to do is follow the instructions and you're set. Yoostar comes with 14 scenes out-of-the-box. Printable versions of the scripts are available, though you can also have lines scroll on your computer like a teleprompter. Or, you can simply memorize lines the old-fashioned way or improvise. Fourteen scenes may not seem like much, though some include multiple roles, offering somewhere around 30 different performance opportunities. You can also download new scenes through Yoostar's iTunes-like service. A number of scenes are already available on the site (ranging from $.99 to $4 a scene), and include shows from every major studio. A number of plain backgrounds are included for webcasters or people wanting to do a "digital postcard." Once you're recorded your scene, you can upload it to Yoostar's site, or share it with friends via Facebook or other social networking sites (except YouTube). The software does a good job of monitoring what happens in scenes, removing the chance of "questionable" language and other parts finding their way into performances.

Features: YooStar Stereo Webcam Quick Set Up 6' x 6' Green Screen with Stand 14 Premium Selected Scenes

Drawbacks & Problems:: The image produced by the camera is great, though you will have to adjust the lighting in your play area for the best results. The camera tends to exaggerate shadows, sometimes producing unflattering results. Overhead lighting produced the "worst" (though this is a relative term) while brightly lit rooms worked best. The built-in microphone does an admirable job at capturing sound, though it can sometimes sound muffled. Again, a better environment will produce better results. Background noises like air conditioning are filtered out, though it manages to pick up other ambient noises (like the laughter of friends) from time-to-time if the conditions are right. This, thankfully, occurred sporadically and only when friends were standing near the camera. Another major downside is lack of Mac support. Yoostar plans on offering Mac version of the software later this year, but until then, you'll have to use your PC or wait. Software registration is another issue. You can only use the code with one computer, so I am curious as to how this will work for users wanting to switch over to Mac when the software is available. The final hurdle facing Yoostar is price. At $169.99, the system is a bit pricey. When you consider everything included in the box it's a little more palatable, though it really comes down to how often you see yourself using the system. If you routinely have friends over, it's completely worth the price. If not, you may need to think about the purchase. This may be a matter of personal perception, but Yoostar isn't much fun when you're alone. Price-point aside, Yoostar is a really cool entry into the "social gaming" genre. It was a big hit with my friends and has already managed to supplant Guitar Hero/ Rock Band as the thing we "have to do again."

-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker

Minimum System Requirements: Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista; CD-Rom Drive; 1 available USB 2.0 Port; 1 GB RAM (XP) or 2 GB RAM (Vista); 10 GB Available HDD space; 64 MB VRAM with DirectX 9.0 Supported 3D Graphics Card   Test System: Windows Vista; 1.6 GHz Dual-Core processor; 2 Gig RAM; DVD drive; 120 GB HDD; GeForce Go7600

Related Links: Yoostar -- Official Site