short circuits
New and noteworthy experiences among DVDs, video games, gadgets and the Web.
DVD
Keep warm by the TV Reader Pat Alexander writes: "Do you know where to pick up a cheap DVD of the fireplace? You know, the one where nothing but the fireplace is playing on your TV. Some play Christmas songs; others just have crackling log-burning sounds. Do you know if anyone has reviewed the DVDs out there?"
You can find fireplace DVDs for sale just about anywhere, even at gas stations, grocery stores and drugstores. They aren't put out by major companies, nor are they typically sent out for review. So the best sources of opinions are the customer comments at Amazon from people who have actually bought the discs. There are quite a few releases -- 33 discs with "fireplace" in the title, according to DVD Price Search (www.dvdpricesearch. net). Most sell online for less than $15.
The biggest complaints about various releases concern the audio-video quality and whether the fire is from wood or gas. Among DVDs, the highest-rated releases at Amazon (www.amazon.com) are "The Fireplace DVD" (Plasma Candy, which Amazon sells for $13.49), "Ambient Fire" (Jumba Bay, $11.99) and "The Ultimate Fireplace DVD" (Belles, $10.99), a made-to-order DVD-R. In high-def, the top-ranked Blu-ray disc is "HD Moods: Fire" (Topics, $8.99).
Use DVD Price Search to check out prices from other online sellers. If you simply want a faux fireplace for the lowest price, the best deal, according to DVD Price Search, is "Cozy Cracklin' Fireplace," which Best Buy sells online only for about $8 shipped (although Amazon has it for $6.98 with free shipping on orders over $25). I guess you could call that a hot deal.
RANDY A. SALAS
Out today: "G-Force," "The Goods," "The Hangover," "Inglourious Basterds," "The Mel Brooks Collection" (Blu-ray), "The Paper Chase" (Season 2), "Robot Chicken" (Season 4), "Star Trek: The Original Series" (Season 3), "Taking Woodstock," "The Tudors" (Season 3), "Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie."
GAME
Repeat offenders "Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City" ($40; rated Mature) packages the two downloadable Xbox 360 add-ons for "Grand Theft Auto IV" together on one disc. (Both episodes are also available for download, $20 or 800 Microsoft Points.) The first, "The Lost and Damned," introduced a host of missions revolving around a biker gang. The latest episode, "The Ballad of Gay Tony," has a more likable cast, and its own new missions, vehicles and weapons, along with other additional material.
