Recently in Digital Cameras Category

Toshiba announced their gigashot A and K video camcorders. The gigashot A100F features a 1.8-inch shock-resistant 100GB disk with 1/3-inch CMOS sensor. It features full HD video (1,920 x 1,080 or 1080i) recordings at 60fps with 16bit/48kHz Dolby digital stereo audio.

It uses high-quality MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video and will give you about 12 hours of video recording at the highest quality setting and around 23 hours in standard mode. You can also take 2 megapixel still photos.

Both the gigashot A and K series feature SDHC expansion, 3-inch LCD, 10x optical zoom, HDMI mini and component out, and USB for PC connectivity.


Toshiba brags that its 78.1 x 135.4 x 79.0-mm measurements make it the world's smallest "Full HD" camcorder with a built-in hard disk drive. The lower-end gigashot K series does slightly lower video resolution - 1280x720 or 720p video and 0.92 megapixel photos in its slightly smaller 80GB or much smaller 40GB hard disk options.

The top of the line gigashot A100F ships in mid November for ¥188,000 (about $1,632). The smaller HDD version, the gigashot A40F comes with a 40GB HDD and you can buy one for ¥158,000 (about $1372). For the K-series, the gigashot K80H will run ya 128,000 yen (about $1111) and the lowest end model, the gigashot K40H (40GB) will cost you ¥108,000 (about $938).

The new gigashot camcorders start shipping in late October. Whether these camcorders will make it to the U.S. in time for the Christmas buying season is another story and with the dollar tanking, these Japanese imported camcorders will only go up in price.

SanDisk announced 6GB and 8GB microSD High Capacity (microSDHC) flash memory cards one-upping their previous maximum capacity of 4 gigabytes announced in February.

SanDisk's Jeff Kost bragged, "any mobile phone with a compatible microSDHC slot will have just as much storage as the largest-capacity iPhone." The ironic thing is Rich Tehrani recently bought a 4GB microSDHC card for his Windows Mobile 5 phone (Verizon XV6700) and it only supports 2GB maximum, so he had to return it. So unfortunately, most existing phones won't support the new higher 6GB and 8GB capacities either. So buyers beware! Check your device's specs before you buy a microSDHC memory card.

But certainly newer phone models can take advantage of the extra storage. Of course other devices will also be able to take advantage of microSDHC such as mp3 music players, hand-held computers, and digital cameras. An 8GB microSDHC card can store more than 2,000 digital songs, or more than 5,000 high-resolution pictures, or up to 5 hours of high-quality MPEG 4 video.

Retail release of the cards and availability to phone manufacturers and network operators are planned for later in 2007. Pricing has not yet been determined.

Note: SDHC is the designation for any SD or SD-based card that is larger than 2GB and adheres to the new SD 2.00 specification required for cards and hosts to support 4GB to 32GB capacities.

Microsoft dropped a bombshell with their new Microsoft Surface touchscreen computer that is a touchscreen coffee table with "eyes" that can see what is placed on it blending the virtual and real worlds together. Microsoft thinks this technology developed under the top-secret codename 'Milan' will change the world and be used as a coffee table replacement in living rooms and family rooms. According to Popular Mechanics, here's how the screen works... A diffuser turns the Surface's acrylic tabletop into a large horizontal "multitouch" screen, capable of processing multiple inputs from multiple users. The Surface can also recognize objects by their shapes or by reading coded "domino" tags (i.e. RFID). Like Superman, Microsoft Surface even has XRay vision. Ok, I lied, it's infrared vision, a different end of the electromagnetic spectrum, but it could have Xray vision, perfect for seeing through clothes or to view the other poker player's hand - Xray radiation be damned! This table this screen kind of reminds me of those old tabletop video games you'd find in bars and pizza parlors.

In any event, the infrared "machine vision" uses an 850-nanometer-wavelength LED light source aimed at the Surface screen. When objects touch the surface, the light reflects back and is picked up by multiple infrared cameras with a max resolution of 1280 x 960. Microsoft demo'ed the ability to take a digital photo, place the digital camera on the surface and the photo was instantly transferred to the Surface. This "surface computing" as it is called, can utilize a blend of wireless protocols, special machine-readable tags and shape recognition via the infrared cameras to merge the real and the virtual world. Microsoft's Milan team refers this as "blended reality."

Simply by embedding any variety of wireless transceivers, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RFID, etc. it can sync instantly with any device that touches its surface. I wonder how long before Microsoft or a 3rd party develops some "virtual world" games for Microsoft Surface. It could also be used as an educational tool for youngsters. For instance, the table could say something like "Place the yellow triangle on the table" and then determine if the child correctly performed this task. I do have some skepticism that this will pass the WAF (wife acceptance factor). You really think she'll want to swap out a nice wooden coffee table that coordinates with the rest of the room with some high-tech coffee table gadget? What about the power cord that will now snake across the floor unless you professionally install it under the rug? Nevertheless, all gadget lovers will salivate over this new piece of high-tech furniture gadgetry - including me. To quote Butthead, this is the coolest thing I have ever seen!

Check out the video demo from Popular Mechanics:

SanDisk introduced an 8-gigabyte SD High Capacity (SDHC) card—the highest capacity now available in the SD format. The new 8GB SDHC card holds more than 4,000 high-resolution pictures, as many as 2,000 digital songs or up to 15 hours of MPEG 4 video. The 8GB SDHC card will come bundled with a SanDisk MicroMate USB 2.0 reader free of charge. SDHC cards require an SDHC-compatible reader, so providing the USB-based SDHC reader with the card ensures that users will be able to connect the 8GB card to their computers. The MicroMate reader also works with standard SD cards. 8GB of storage packs a pretty mean memory density "punch" for a memory device thinner than a Saltine cracker and about the size of a quarter.

As SD cards get larger memory storage they will not only be used in mobile phones, but they will perhaps replace hard drives in MP3 players, such as the Apple iPod. Of course, the first MP3 players to market used Flash memory cards before the Apple iPod even existed. I had a Creative Labs Nomad II with 64MB of Flash RAM. However, the iPod, a hard drive-based mp3 player, took off and smaller Flash-based storage MP3 players took a backseat. Now with larger 8GB cards available, the advantage is starting to lean back towards Flash memory MP3 players. Why do you ask? Power. Hard disk drives suck power faster than a Dyson vacuum cleaner! SD cards are much more power efficient, so you can listen to your music player much longer before recharging.

The SD High Capacity or SDHC card format was originally developed by SanDisk, Matsushita, and Toshiba for use in portable devices. SDHC is the new designation for cards in any SD format larger than 2GB that adhere to the new SD 2.0 specification. Previous specifications for SD cards limited capacity to 2GB, while SDHC supports capacities up to 32GB. The specification was developed by the SD Association, an industry standards organization, which also defined three classes for speed and performance capabilities. The 8GB SDHC card adheres to the SD Speed Class 2 rating, which guarantees a minimum data-transfer rate of 2MB/sec.

“As consumers add more digital entertainment and memories to their lives -- especially when they start shooting video with a digital still camera or digital camcorder -- they need more storage capacity in flash memory cards,’’ said Susan Park, retail product marketing manager at SanDisk. “The new 8GB SDHC delivers twice the capacity of what was previously our biggest SD card -- the 4GB SDHC -- introduced just eight months ago.”

The 8GB SDHC card with MicroMate USB 2.0 reader will be available in April in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The bundle will be available in Japan and elsewhere in Asia later in the second quarter. In the United States, the bundle will carry a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $189.99.

Most USB flash drives are highly unreliable and can break down easily due to inferior plastic. It is unfortunate that most of us have our precious digital photos and other important files on USB Flash drives, but we don't consider the reliability or durability of our USB flash devices. Many USB Flash devices are suspended from our keychains and therefore are often tossed onto the coffee table with our keys, dropped, or used as a rattle toy for your 10 month old daughter. Ok, at least my 10 month old daughter. We wouldn't subject a hard disk to this abuse, but we don't think twice about doing it to our Flash memory devices.

So I was pleasantly surprised to learn about an entrepreneur who has decided to build his own USB flash drive to be Waterproof, Anti-Shock, Anti-Vibration and Anti-Static.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Titan, from http://www.tyukalov.com

Each USB flash drive is constructed from graphite/aluminum composite metal matrix (which is light but durable), traditionally been used by NASA and other space agencies. Coated with Titanium (which is corrosion, chemical and acid resistant proof in all naturally occurring environments).

1GB - US $197
2GB - US $247
Free Airmail Shipping Worldwide.

USB Interface
High-speed USB 2.0 certified, backwards compatible with USB 1.1

Power supply
USB Bus-Powered, No external power required

Operating Systems Supported
Windows 98/98SE/ME/XP/2000, Mac OS 8.6 and Linux 2,4,0 or above

Check out these video tests below. The first is a static electricity test, which demonstrates how the USB device keeps on ticking even after being tortured with several jolts of electricity. I half expected 24's Jack Bauer's voice to scream at the Flash memory, "Tell me what you know, now!"

The second video is of a car running over the USB memory device. Jack Bauer sure could have used this indestructible Flash memory device in several episodes of 24 where the evidence was destroyed due to weak casing on memory devices.

Why shouldn't the company that started the photo business a century ago enter the printer business, particularly with an eye on getting more of us to print our digital photos?

Kodak got rocked rocked rocked when it misjudged the size and urgency of the tidal wave known as digital photography and has been looking for a solid place on which to build its business since then.

So why not printers? Plenty of margin (aka profits) in ink, but Kodak is going to upset the apple cart there by givng us more ink in each cartridge while selling them to us at cheaper prices.

(What a business model?)

Not much margin in the printers themselves, and Kodak's two new printers look to be very nice priced.

Is this a win for Kodak and a win for us consumers? 

Get more here.

 

 

According to a Reuters report, a burglar who broke into a home and was attempting to steal stuff was captured through the assistance of a laptop connecting to a remote security system installed in the home, which included a video camera hooked up to the Internet.

A Brazilian businessman traveling in Germany watched by live video as a burglar robbed his house in Brazil. He received an alert on his cell phone from his home security system, booted up his laptop and using video streaming over IP he watched the robber in his home. The police were alerted, surrounded the home, and arrested him.

Ain't technology grand?

Always good to read what David Pogue of the New York Times has to say about technology, gadgets and the folks that inhabit our wonderful worlds.

So not surprising then to read his digital camera ditty today about whether megapixels really matter.

(An endless debate that harkens back to the very dawn of the digital camera age.)

They do, don't they?

Well, to steal one of his lines, not to give away the punchline, click here.

 

The OPPO Digital LT2007 20-inch LCD-TV DVD Combo Player is an interesting "combination" device, combining a 181-channel TV tuner, VGA input for PC/laptop video support, built-in DVD player, 5-in-1 USB Memory Card reader, component ports, built-in speakers, and a remote control -- all in a small, elegant, and stylish design that is perfectly suited for kitchens, dorms, dens, or other rooms with limited space. Oppo sent me a review unit to check out and put through the paces.



For my first test I inserted the DVD movie Cellular into the front-loading DVD slot. Similar to cars' in-dash DVD/CD players, the DVD player automatically "catches" the DVD disc as you insert it. Using the ultra-thin remote control, which actually uses a thin watch battery, I was able to easily navigate the DVD menus and start the movie. The video quality was very good on the LCD display, though the screen is 4:3 aspect ratio, so the widescreen Cellular movie was letterboxed. This 4:3 aspect ration is my first "room for improvement" - I'd like to see them offer a 16:9 LCD screen since most DVDs these days come in widescreen format. While the DVD is playing you can capture the current frame and replace the logo screen. A bit of feature-fluff, but hey, I'm a gadget freak, so the more features, the merrier! Also, the DVD drive plays standard DVD-Video, DivX, CD, HDCD, WMA, Kodak Picture CD, as well as DVD-R/+R/-RW/+RW recordable DVDs.


For my next test, I hooked up the included USB 5-1 Memory Card reader which supports SecureDigital, MultiMedia Card, Memory Stick, SmartMedia, CompactFlash. Next, I inserted my CF card which had both photos, DiVX videos, mpeg videos, and MP3s on it. From the remote control I switched the source to the CF card and was able to browse the folders on the CF card. I was able to start an MP3 music file and as the song was playing I could browse the photos and start a slideshow. The MP3 music would continue playing while the photos were browsed or in slideshow mode - a nice feature. Next, I tried playing Journey - Who's Crying Now.mpg, a live concert MPEG video in my video collection and it played flawlessly.

Next, I hooked up a laptop to the VGA input on the back of the unit. The LCD screen was very crisp (as expected), however I noticed the screen resolution displayed 800x600 even though the laptop was set to 1024x768. Thus, part of the Windows Desktop was obscured, such as the Windows XP Start Menu until you move the mouse and pan around the screen.
(Note: I switched to 800x600 resolution on the laptop for the photo below, so you can see the Start menu on this photo:)

Moving the mouse around would cause the LCD to "pan" around and I was able to get to the Start menu. I tried to change the resolution to 1024x768 but soon learned that 800x600 is the maximum resolution on this 20" screen. This is a bit surprising since I have never seen such a large screen only handle 800x600. I'm not sure if it was a cost decision to only do 800x600, but it certainly seemed odd. Similarly, the Component video inputs accept 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i HD video signals, however, all signals are scaled to the 800x600 resolution display capability. Composite and S-Video inputs are also included for connecting VCRs, camcorders, etc. I should point out that 800x600 is fine for the built-in TV tuner since DV NTSC resolution (DVD) is only 720x480. In fact, I was very impressed with the DVD quality as well as the 181-channel TV tuner video quality, but still would have liked to have seen 1024x768 supported. Nevertheless, this combo device will most likely be used in kitchens, dens, and other small spaces "more as a DVD player and TV" rather than a computer monitor. As such, this TV/DVD combo this is a great product with a really cool stylish design that almost looks like Apple designed it. Most importantly the Oppo OPPO Digital LT-2007 has a small footprint due its integrated LCD, speakers, and DVD player that won't clutter your countertop or table -- and at just $599, this is a bargain for the amount of features you get.

Pros:
- Integrated DVD player
- Memory card Reader with Photo Slideshow
- Plays DivX, and MPEG videos
- Plays mp3 files
- Elegant, small, and combines TV/DVD/PC monitor all-in-one

Cons:
- VGA maximum resolution (800x600)
- 4:3 aspect ratio not optimal for DVD playback
 
Specifications:

TV:

• Enhanced Definition Television (EDTV) with high quality 20.1" flat-panel TFT LCD screen.
• 800 x 600 pixel resolution, 500:1 contrast ratio, 450 cd/m² brightness, 4:3 aspect ratio.
• Tilt screen with adjustable angle.
• 181-channel NTSC tuner with automatic station searching and fine tuning.
• Last Channel Recall feature for quick switching between channels.
• Closed captioning capability.
• MTS/SAP decoding for true stereo sound and Secondary Audio Programs.
• Digital 3D comb filter for enhanced picture resolution and sharpness.
• Component video input capable of accepting 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i HD video signals.
• Composite video and S-Video inputs for universal compatibility.
• VGA input for use as a computer or game monitor.
• 2 stereo audio inputs for PC and video.
• 3W x 2 stereo speakers built into the base.
• Headphone output.
• Automatic shut-off sleep timer.

 
Built-in DVD Player:

• Slot-loading DVD player built into the TV base.
• Progressive scan and true digital connection to the built-in TV for best picture quality.
• Multi-format digital video/audio/picture playback supporting DVD-Video, DivX® video format, XviD, Audio CD, HDCD, WMA, Kodak Picture CD and more.
• Versatile media compatibility supporting disc types such as CD-R/CD-RW, DVD-R/DVD-RW, and DVD+R/DVD+RW.
• Official DivX® Certified product
• Plays all versions of DivX® video (including DivX® 6) with standard playback of DivX® media files
• Digital audio output supporting Dolby Digital and DTS for surround sound playback.
• USB interface for flash memory or external device expandability.
• Composite video and stereo audio output.

 
Connectors:

• Cable/Antenna input (F Type connector): 1
• Component video input (YPbPr/YCbCr): 1 group (3 connectors)
• S-Video input: 1
• VGA input: 1
• A/V input: 1
• PC audio input (for VGA): 1
• DVD A/V output: 1
• DVD coaxial digital audio output: 1
• USB port: 1
• DC power input jack: 1
• Headphone output: 1

 
Accessories Included:

• User manual
• Remote control and battery
• Power adaptor and AC power cord
• A/V cable (3 RCA to 1 mini-jack): 2 sets
• Stereo audio cable (2 RCA to 1 mini-jack)
• Coaxial digital audio cable (1 RCA to 1 mini-jack)
• 5-in-1 USB flash memory card reader and USB cable (SecureDigital, MultiMedia Card, Memory Stick, SmartMedia, CompactFlash)

From the "Now, I've heard everything" pile, we have a report that HP (aka Hewlett-Packard) and Pentax are planning to release digital cameras with "slimming" feature that will make objects (guess what?) slimmer.

Yes, you have heard correctly.

Due to the miracle of editing capabilities, subjects will now appear slimmer -- so instead of dieting or other ways to keep food out of your mouth as well as increasing your aerobic output to "slim down," we can now just push a button, do a quick edit and look slimmer.

(But will we feel slimmer?)

And can you imagine the comments: "Can you please take that picture again? I'd like to look slimmer."

(And thanks to www.carnivalmirror.com for the goofy image.)