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The first Web 2.0 camcorder


Pure Digital has upgraded the el cheapo flash memory camcorder it's been selling since May through retail stores, such as Target. See our previous blog post and review. The new version, which sells for the same price ($129 for a unit that will record 30 minutes; a 60-minute version is also available), has improved audio and video quality and longer battery life, company reps told me. The external hardware is the same: a generic-looking white case with one very interesting feature: a USB port that swings out to transfer data.

Pure Digital camcorder

The real news is the improved software. Once you plug the device into your PC, it will automatically launch software that's stored on the camcorder to upload your videos directly to Grouper. Here's my first video made with the product.

There is no easier way to shoot and post a video. You can also take the device into a store (such as Target) and have a DVD of your videos pressed in about an hour.

There are downsides, though. The product is supposed to make it easy to upload to Google Video as well as Grouper, but for Google, all it does is put your videos on your desktop and open the upload page on the Google Video site. And it doesn't do anything at all for YouTube, although given the Google acquisition of YouTube, that may change. The software does make it easy to get videos off the device so you can upload them wherever your want, but the lack of interactivity with other services is bothersome.

More snags: The software crashes if the unit powers down while it's plugged in, which it does automatically after a few minutes, and you will probably need to buy a USB extender cable, since when the device is connected, it is likely to interfere with cables or the table your computer is sitting on. And despite the cult-of-Mac glossy white case, its software doesn't automatically launch when you plug it into a Macintosh. Finally, the camcorder will not recharge when plugged in; even the lowliest $79 iPod Shuffle recharges when docked.

Power users and those who are bothered by products that seem to be not quite done will be better off shooting video with a real camcorder or with any modern point-and-shoot digital camera. But Pure Digital's device is still about the simplest tapeless video camcorder you can get by a wide margin, and it gets big points in my book for that. I also really like that the device contains its own software and can run it automatically when it's plugged in.

 

posted by actfind on Aug 6, 2008 9:24 AM | 0 comments
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Hitachi's hybrid camcorder

Not all gadgets are the technological equivalent of genetic mutations. Some hybrids actually make sense and don't even look like lab experiments gone awry.

(Credit: SCI FI Tech)

On paper, at least, Hitachi's hybrid camcorder appears to be one of these exceptions. Gizmag says the video camera, which Hitachi calls the first DVD/HDD product of its kind, can easily burn videos directly onto a DVD inside the camcorder, bypassing the need for a computer altogether. It comes in 1.3- and 3.3-megapixel models, each with an 8GB hard drive that can store 110 minutes of video, at about $1,450 and $1,650.

It should be noted, however, that hybrid cameras have had a somewhat dubious history, whether they've combined CDs with photos or video with stills (think Sony). But we hope Hitachi has worked out these kinks, because we want one of these for Christmas.

 

posted by actfind on Aug 6, 2008 7:59 AM | 0 comments
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The first Web 2.0 camcorder


Pure Digital has upgraded the el cheapo flash memory camcorder it's been selling since May through retail stores, such as Target. See our previous blog post and review. The new version, which sells for the same price ($129 for a unit that will record 30 minutes; a 60-minute version is also available), has improved audio and video quality and longer battery life, company reps told me. The external hardware is the same: a generic-looking white case with one very interesting feature: a USB port that swings out to transfer data.

Pure Digital camcorder

The real news is the improved software. Once you plug the device into your PC, it will automatically launch software that's stored on the camcorder to upload your videos directly to Grouper. Here's my first video made with the product.

There is no easier way to shoot and post a video. You can also take the device into a store (such as Target) and have a DVD of your videos pressed in about an hour.

There are downsides, though. The product is supposed to make it easy to upload to Google Video as well as Grouper, but for Google, all it does is put your videos on your desktop and open the upload page on the Google Video site. And it doesn't do anything at all for YouTube, although given the Google acquisition of YouTube, that may change. The software does make it easy to get videos off the device so you can upload them wherever your want, but the lack of interactivity with other services is bothersome.

More snags: The software crashes if the unit powers down while it's plugged in, which it does automatically after a few minutes, and you will probably need to buy a USB extender cable, since when the device is connected, it is likely to interfere with cables or the table your computer is sitting on. And despite the cult-of-Mac glossy white case, its software doesn't automatically launch when you plug it into a Macintosh. Finally, the camcorder will not recharge when plugged in; even the lowliest $79 iPod Shuffle recharges when docked.

Power users and those who are bothered by products that seem to be not quite done will be better off shooting video with a real camcorder or with any modern point-and-shoot digital camera. But Pure Digital's device is still about the simplest tapeless video camcorder you can get by a wide margin, and it gets big points in my book for that. I also really like that the device contains its own software and can run it automatically when it's plugged in.

posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 10:52 AM | 0 comments
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An underwater monitor--but why?


Underwater monitor kit(Credit: Sunsen Electronic)

You've got to wonder what DHS investigators think of stuff like this. After all, it's not as if there are an overwhelming number of practical consumer applications for an underwater monitor kit like this one, which we saw on Red Ferret.

Manufactured in China, the "full-set" kit apparently includes a 7-inch LCD, a five-hour battery and a diving camera with night-vision range of 9 to 15 feet. The equipment can all be conveniently stored in a metal carrying case that--we hope--would be subject to careful inspection near ports, bridges or any other appropriate locations.

 

posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 10:47 AM | 0 comments
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A camcorder for the Atlantis market


(Credit: Gizmag)

With so many products going under water these days, the only thing we can surmise is that people are really taking this whole global warming thing seriously. That would be at least one explanation for the proliferation of gadgets like this waterproof digital movie camera.

Gizmag says the Sanyo VPC-CA6 has a resolution of 6 megapixels and a 5x optical zoom, retailing for around $250. It does take stills as well, but if you're not satisfied with the quality you can try any number of waterproof point-and-shoot cameras. Either way, you can transfer your shots with your waterproof USB device onto your underwater monitor--and view all your work without ever coming up for air.

 

posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 10:35 AM | 0 comments
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JVC tweaks midclass Everio camcorders


The highlight of JVC's Everio models for 2007 is the Gigabrid image-processing engine--an update that's sorely needed, given the poor quality we've seen from past single-chip units. And it must be better than its predecessor, Megabrid, because it's Giga, right? They all have 30GB hard drives, and JVC has added support for high-capacity SD cards, as well as compatibility with the company's DVD dock. The MG555 gets a bump up to a 5-megapixel sensor, too.

 

GZ-MG130

Everio GZ-MG130

(Credit: JVC America)

GZ-MG130, $499.95, January

GZ-MG155

Everio GZ-MG130

(Credit: JVC America)

GZ-MG155, $599.95, February

GZ-MG255

Everio GZ-MG255

(Credit: JVC America)

GZ-MG255, $699.95, February

GZ-MG555

Everio GZ-MG555

(Credit: JVC America)

GZ-MG555, $899.95, March

 

posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 10:31 AM | 0 comments
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Sony's SD Hard-Drive Camcorders


Sony's new DCR-SR300 flagship hard drive camcorder

At a press event last summer, a Sony product manager told me that some consumers still find hard-drive camcorders confusing and prefer DVD camcorders instead. Of course, that didn't stop Sony from introducing five new hard-drive camcorders at CES this year: the DCR-SR200, DCR-SR300, DCR-SR42, DCR-SR62, DCR-SR82. Wasting no time, Sony will start accepting preorders for these models on its Web site starting Monday and expects them to start shipping in March.

Topping the line is the DCR-SR300, with its 40GB hard drive, 3-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor, 2.7-inch Clear Photo 16:9 touchscreen LCD, and 10x optical Carl Zeiss T* zoom lens with Super Steady Shot optical image stabilization. Golfers will crave the Smooth Slow mode, which can capture three seconds of video at 240fps, which the camera translates into 12 seconds of slow motion video during normal playback at 60 fps. Since the ClearVid sensor lets you simultaneously capture still and moving images, the DCR-SR300 can capture 4.6-megapixel images while shooting video, or 6-megapixel images in dedicated still mode. As usual, the camcorder stores its images on Memory Stick Duo cards. Like some of last year's models, the SR300 includes Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound recording, and has a hot shoe (Sony calls it an active interface shoe), so you can add accessories, such as Sony's ECM-HW1 Bluetooth microphone, so you can get better center channel sound. According to Sony, the 40GB drive can store up to 9 hours of video in its highest quality mode, and as much as 28 hours in its lowest quality mode. Sony plans to sell the DCR-SR300 for about $1,000.

Sony's DCR-SR200 with its Handycam Station dock

The DCR-SR200, expected to sell for about $850, sports a 2-megapixel ClearVid sensor, and has the same 10x optical zoom lens, 40GB hard drive and 2.7-inch touchscreen LCD. However, the SR200 uses Sony's electronic Steady Shot image stabilization instead of the optical stabilization offered on the SR300. In its dual capture mode, SR200 can capture 2.3-megapixel stills, while its dedicated still capture mode lets you snap 4-megapixel stills. Don't fret slow-mo fans, the SR200 also includes the same Smooth Slow mode as the SR300. It also includes the same surround sound recording and hot shoe.

Boasting the largest hard drive of Sony's line, the DCR-SR82 packs 60GB of storage, along with a 1-megapixel CCD sensor, 25x optical Carl Zeiss zoom lens, and 2.7-inch 16:9 touchscreen LCD. It doesn't have a dual record mode, but can capture 1-megapixel still images in its dedicated still capture mode. Sony says the 60GB drive can store up to 14 hours of video in its highest quality mode, or up to 41 hours in its lowest quality mode. It won't record surround sound, but does include a hot shoe. Sony plans to price the SR82 at about $750.

Identical except for its hard drive size, the DCR-SR62 sports a 30GB hard drive. According to Sony, that'll get you 7 hours of recording time in the highest quality mode, or 20 hours in its lowest quality mode. Sony plans to price it at about $650.

The DCR-SR82 tops Sony's non-ClearVid HDD camcorders

Sony calls its new entry level hard drive model the DCR-SR42. It sports Sony's longest zoom lens to date--a 40x optical Carl Zeiss zoom lens. As we've come to expect, Sony pairs its longest lens with its smallest resolution sensor, in this case a 680,000-pixel CCD. The SR42's 30GB drive allows the same 7-20 hours of recording, depending on quality, as the SR62's. However, the smaller sensor means that its still capture mode only yields VGA-sized images. Also, the SR42's LCD measures in at 2.5-inches, with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Sony plans to sell the SR42 for about $600, which means they make a pretty convincing case to at least step up to the SR62.

Worry warts and klutzes can wipe the sweat from their brows thanks to Sony's HDD Smart Protection, which combines physical shock absorbers, as well as a sensor that detects if the camcorder falls and if so, removes the write head from the drive's disk and shifts recording to a buffer that holds a small amount of footage so it can be written to the hard drive once the camera recovers. That way if the camcorder is dropped, hopefully the hard drive won't crash completely, and if the camera mistakes short motion for a fall, the buffer should let you continue recording while the camera gets back on track. All of this year's hard-drive camcorders come with one of Sony's Handycam Station docks, to help ease the transfer of footage to your computer.

 

posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 10:08 AM | 0 comments
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Single-8 film avoids extinction


(Credit: Retro Thing)

Retro chic is one thing, but then there are just some people who refuse to let go of the past. That's our take, anyway, on the cult-like pressure to continue producing "Single-8" cartridge film.

Fuji has agreed once again to let the format stave off extinction, even though sales totaled an estimated 14,000 cartridges last year. Retro Thing reported that the company, which had earlier scheduled to cease production of the film in March, relented after protests both from professional cinematographers and amateur hobbyists. We're considering campaigns to bring back 8-track tapes and Betamax too.

 

posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 9:54 AM | 0 comments
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When in doubt, Canon gets horizontal


Canon HV20 front

(Credit: Canon USA, Inc.)

Though it's probably heretical to say this in consumer electronics' circles, sometimes it's nice when nothing new happens. Take for instance Canon's HV20 HDV camcorder. On the inside, it's pretty much identical to the HV10--the same 3-megapixel 1/2.7-inch, 1,920x1,080 CMOS sensor, the same 10X zoom Canon HD lens, the same Super-Range Optical Image Stabilizer and Instant AF focus support, and the same Digic DV II HD processor. All that similarity means we're probably going to be as impressed with the video from the HV20 as with the HV10's.

Canon HV20 back

(Credit: Canon USA, Inc.)

So you're bound to ask, if all that's the same, why did they bother introducing a new model? Well, the design of the HV10 made several ergonomic sacrifices to achieve its compact attitude. The HV20 eschews the sleek vertical look for a more practical and traditional horizontal design that provides room for an active accessory shoe, a manual focusing dial, and a higher capacity battery. Canon also added support for 24p frame-rate recording, I suppose to make the substantive price difference between the two models a bit more palatable: when it ships in April the HV20's street price will be about $1,100, compared to about $950 for the HV10.

 

posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 9:47 AM | 0 comments
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Lexar's first SDHC card


Lexar's new Professional 4GB SDHC card.

(Credit: Lexar)

Lexar this morning announced its first Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) memory card. Part of the company's Professional line, the 4GB card carries a 133x speed rating, which Lexar translates into a minimum sustained write speed of 20MB per second. For those unfamiliar with the new SDHC standard, it was developed to let SD memory cards reach capacities larger than 2GB.

Of course, a new standard also means that SDHC cards aren't compatible with older readers or cameras that aren't SDHC compatible. Because of that fact, Lexar includes a small USB 2.0 SDHC reader with the new 4GB card. We hooked that reader up to a decidedly average PC (not a rocket ship) and were able to achieve write speeds of about 16.5MB per second. Given the fact that transfer speeds vary on different PCs, this was a good result with the system used.

As usual with Lexar's Professional series cards, the company includes some software. In addition to Lexar's Image Rescue 3, which can help you retrieve images that have been accidentally erased or lost due to card failure, you also get Corel Paint Shop Pro X image-editing software. This is a fairly good bargain, since the latest version of Paint Shop Pro (version XI) costs $100.

According to Lexar, the new 4GB SDHC cards and readers will be available in March, with a suggested price of $149.

 

posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 9:42 AM | 0 comments
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GasfindIR-LW infrared camera helps find 20 different greenho...


(Credit: FLIR Systems)

Carbon dioxide is for suckers. If you really want to do some damage to the environment, sulfur hexaflouride is where it's at. According to Pollution Online (which, despite its name, is actually against pollution), one pound of SF6 has the same potential global-warming impact as 11 tons of CO2. Sulfur hexaflouride is used in high-voltage electrical equipment. If inhaled, it acts like antihelium, and, according to Wikipedia, makes one "sound like the god of hellfire." Finally, this dangerous (and potentially hilarious) gas is odorless, colorless, nontoxic, nonflammable, and extremely difficult to detect.

That's enough of a chemistry primer. The big news is you (if "you" are a master electrician or environmental engineer with deep pockets) can now buy a camera that can detect the gas. Infrared-imaging company FLIR Systems recently revealed the GasfindIR-LW, a thermal imaging camera that can detect SF6 and 20 other environmentally perilous gasses. If you ever wanted to hunt down acetylchloride; allyl flouride; or Freons 11, 12, 112, 113, or 114, the GasfindIR-LW is just the device you need.

Of course, like most fun toys, it's a strictly specialized piece of scientific equipment. The camera is a four-pound box that can capture footage only at 320x240 resolution. You can't exactly find it at your local BestBuy or Circuit City, either; this sort of device can cost several thousand dollars and must be bought either directly from the manufacturer or a very small number of professional supply stores.

Still, if you want to spend the time and drop the cash, it's a great way to find out just how dangerous the air around you really is.

 

posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 9:35 AM | 0 comments
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The 12-in-1 uber-gadget


(Credit: Calibryze)

While the converging technologies of phones and music players continue to command attention, we should all be reminded that these aren't the only forms of consumer electronics that are morphing together. In fact, there's one new handheld that puts them all to shame in the all-in-one category.

How so, you ask? The "Brica ViewArt 1000" is an uber-device with a 2.5-inch display that "combines a still camera, camcorder, MP3 player, FM radio, voice recorder, e-book viewer, Webcam and a DVR," according to Technabob. So there.

But only 512MB internal memory for something that's billed as a "12-in-1" gadget? That's like building a Ferrari with a 2-gallon tank. Call us cynical, but for some reason we wouldn't expect stellar performance on its many fronts for a price of $265.

 

posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 9:31 AM | 0 comments
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JVC HD camcorder leaked, not enough fingers to plug holes


JVC Everio GZ-HD3?

JVC Everio GZ-HD3?

(Credit: Akihabara News, via camcorderinfo.com)

Akihabara News made a big oopsie and posted a story about JVC's forthcoming Everio GZ-HD3. Though the page was quickly pulled, camcorderinfo.com managed to snatch the photo and a few details. A JVC spokesman admitted to me that Akihabara News had signed a nondisclosure agreement for information about the product, which provided a tacit admission that the product really exists and isn't just a rumor.

According to camcorderinfo.com, the HD3 will record HD video at only 1,440x1,080 in JVC's standard MPEG-2 TS format; the GZ-HD7 offers 1,920x1,080 "FHD" video, though it's not widely supported by software. The HD3 is also rumored to capture to SDHC in addition to a 60GB hard disk. Camcorderinfo says it looks smaller than the HD7, but how anyone can tell from a photo is beyond me. We can say it looks silver, while the HD7 looks black.

That's about all the information available. The real story will be whether it's hampered by the same undersized trio of CCDs, broken image stabilizer and poor battery life as its flawed older brother.

 

posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 9:22 AM | 0 comments
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Panasonic's dynamic camcorder duo for fall '07

Click to view photos(Credit: Panasonic Consumer Electronics)

With the HDC-SD1 barely out of diapers--it was only released in February--and the ink on my review barely dry, Panasonic already plans to ship its replacement in September. Given some of the issues I had with the SD1 I won't be sorry to see it go, but it's not clear that the SD5 addresses some of the problems.

On one hand, it's smaller--always a plus--and Panasonic adds an upsweep toward the back of the unit to improve its grippability over the tube-shaped SD1. I got a chance to shoot with the SD5 at the press briefing, and it really is more comfortable to use. The location of the joystick hasn't changed, though, and it's still quite difficult to keep the camcorder steady while making manual adjustments. And speaking of manual adjustments, it also looks like Panasonic has dropped the minimum manual shutter speed down to 1/30 of a second from 1/60.

Furthermore, though the SD5 uses the same trio of low-resolution CCDs, which strained to produce reasonable 1,440x1080 in the SD1, the SD5 pushes them to 1,920x1080. I suspect it will exhibit the same artifacts, and more so.

HDC-SD5 artifacts

Though the SD5 I shot with may have been a preproduction unit, it displays the same interlace and interpolation problems as the HDC-SD1.

(Credit: Lori Grunin)

Panasonic claims it has improved the optical stabilization by increasing the frequency of motion samples and compensation, for a more precise response. However, you won't get to stress that new OIS as much since the SD5 uses a 10X zoom lens compared with the 12X lens in the SD1. In addition, after only a brief foray by Panasonic into Sony novelty territory, the new model loses Dolby 5.1-surround support in favor of stereo, which I doubt anyone will miss.

Other enhancements include Pre-Rec, which captures the 3 seconds of video preceding your push on the Record button; Intelligent Contrast Control, which does dynamic tonal adjustment based on ambient light; and the HD Advanced Pure Color Engine with improved noise reduction.

HDC-SX5

HDC-SX5

(Credit: Panasonic)

The new HDC-SX5 is essentially a bigger, clunkier version of the SD5, which can also record to 3-inch DVD-RAM and DVD-R/RW discs like the HDC-DX1.

Panasonic has also beefed up its DVD dubbing capabilities. The SX5 can copy from the SD card to a DVD with a single button press, and the SD5's firmware now allows it to communicate directly with a standalone DVD burner, such as Panasonic's just-announced VW-BN1.

    Key specs:
  • 3 1/6-inch CCDs with 520,000-pixel effective resolution each
  • Records 1080i HD video in 1,920x1080 AVCDH format
  • Recording modes: highest quality approx. 13 Mbps CBR, 10 minutes per 1GB storage; medium-quality approx. 9 Mbps VBR, 15 minutes per 1GB storage; lowest-quality approx. 6 Mbps VBR, 22 minutes per 1GB storage
  • 10X zoom lens, 42.9 to 429 mm-equivalent
  • 2.7-inch LCD
  • Stereo

Both camcorders will ship in September. Prices run $999.95 for the HDC-SD5 and $899.95 for the HDC-SX5. And the fact that the hybrid model is cheaper than the SD-only model shows you the price we pay to shave off the inches and ounces.

 

posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 9:15 AM | 0 comments
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A camcorder for the thrifty genius


Genius is a word that gets used all too often these days. We're not sure the dinky little Genius G-Shot DV1210 is exactly Einsteinian, but it's still a cute little camcorder with some neat design touches. It measures 125mm long and 50mm broad, and is pretty light. The shape is bogstandard, with a fold-out 61mm (2.4-inch) swivelly screen.

(Credit: Crave UK)

Video is recorded to SD card in MPEG-4 at 640x480 or 320x240-pixel resolution. Still images are also available with a 5-megapixel sensor, but the major sacrifice to cost-cutting is the absence of optical zoom. You'll just have to stand closer. It does some of that there converging business, however, with an MP3 player and FM radio built in.

One cool feature is the option to replace the included lithium-ion battery with readily available AA batteries should the juice run out halfway through shooting. The battery charges by sitting upright in a cute little dock. Fairly pointless, sure, but hey, how often do you see boring old clunky, boxy chargers and wish someone would make one that looked a bit prettier? Anyone?

Videos, images and music are stored on SD card, which does limit the amount you can store to 1GB or 2GB, but SD cards are cheap and plentiful. The DV1210 makes quick-changing cards a cinch, thanks to a spring-loaded hatch in the side. It's blue and translucent and looks purty.

The G-Shot DV1210 is available now and will set you back a staggeringly cheap 130 pounds (about $257, though at least one U.S. retailer is listing it for $157.) A full review is coming down the pipe like Einstein down a waterslide.

 

posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 8:54 AM | 0 comments
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This week in cameras


Fear me.

 

Besides a terrifyingly pink camera, we have a new pocket camcorder, a firmware update for Olympus' Evolt E-410 SLR, and more.

 

posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 8:40 AM | 0 comments
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Liquid lenses keep eye on security


(Credit: Varioptic)

Try not to leave this camera in the sun. You wouldn't want your lens disappearing in a puff of steam. The camera in question? A USB camera with a liquid lens called the IVIN-2M USB 2.0.

The technology has been around for a few years, but this model claims to be the "first 2-megapixel CMOS digital camera with a variable-focus liquid lens." Talk about a niche.

It's recently been announced by Varioptic and IVA. Practical? Well, it's meant to be used as a surveillance videocam. Impressive specs? It shoots up to only 1,600 x 1,200 at 15fps, but those wet lenses are the kicker, so it's not a total washout. Mass up enough of them in your home and you can trigger a mini-tsunami when they detect a furtive intruder swimming in your pool.

 

posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 8:33 AM | 0 comments
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This week in cameras


Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T2(Credit: Sony Electronics Inc.)

 

This week includes a new Sony camera, suspiciously similar advertisements, and Hello Kitty merchandise. It's a win for everybody!

 

posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 5:52 AM | 0 comments
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This week in cameras


Miro

 

This week includes interesting news about Flickr and YouTube, information about several new digital imaging applications, and a big picture of a seal pup.

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Digital Imaging CES 2008 Wrap-up


Though not nearly as big as CES, the PMA trade show is coming to Las Vegas in three weeks. Yes, less than a month after covering CES, our editors will bravely return to Sin City to report on some of the biggest names in digital photography. That didn't stop camera and camcorder makers from revealing plenty of new products last week, though; major companies from Samsung to Sony revealed their newest digital imaging products at the show.

Sony made one of the biggest camera announcements at the show, unveiling the Alpha A200 digital SLR. This new 10-megapixel model stands to face other intro-level SLRs like the Canon EOS Rebel XTi and the Nikon D40x. Casio also made a splash with the Exilim Pro EX-F1, an EVF camera the company claims can shoot 60 still images per second, or record video at a whopping 1,200 frames per second. I'll believe it when it's under our skeptical eyes in the lab. On the snapshot side of cameras, Kodak and Samsung both announced a handful of inexpensive point-and-shoots, and Kodak revealed the ESP-3 combination photo printer/document printer/scanner.

For camcorders, flash memory was the name of the game this year as Canon, Sony, and Panasonic all announced new, high-end SSD and card-based camcorders. Panasonic unveiled several new SD card camcorders, Canon combined large amounts of flash memory with SD/SDHC card slots, and Sony added an 8GB flash drive to a DVD camcorder, giving users plenty of options for recording and transferring footage. Besides flash memory, camcorder manufacturers revealed new cameras that used more conventional media, like miniDV, DVD, and hard drives. Though it didn't reveal any new high-def, flash memory models, JVC expanded its Everio line of hard drive camcorders with several slimmer, more colorful models as well.

Those are the big headlines from CES, but don't think that's all the new camera/camcorder news of the season. Keep an eye on Crave at the end of the month for our coverage of PMA 2008.

posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 4:43 AM | 0 comments
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Something's in the air--or water supply--at NEC


(Credit: NEC)

Someone must have spiked the Calpico vending machines near NEC's R&D labs in Tokyo.

The company made a legitimate splash at Macworld with a giant curved-screen display, but then creativity began giving way to surreality a few days later with its liquid-powered "Flask" phone. Now things are getting almost Dali-eseque with an NEC concept gadget called the "Dew Life Recording Interface."

Apparently this dangling chrome sphere is meant to hang around the neck and visually record every moment of its wearer's life, according to Dvice, kind of like a portable video Twitter. But no one really knows, really, as it's still in the gestational process. And the way things are going at NEC, the final version could be anyone's guess.

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posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 4:19 AM | 0 comments
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Record HD video with the Aiptek A-HD digital camcorder, $120...


The Aiptek A-HD records 720p video on inexpensive SD cards.

(Credit: Aiptek)

In the market for a digital camcorder? You could spend $179.99 on one of those Flip Video Ultras, which let you record a whopping 60 minutes of YouTube-quality video. Or you could pay $119 for the Aiptek A-HD, which records hours' worth of high-definition (720p) video on inexpensive memory cards. Hmmm...

Yeah, talk about a no-brainer. The A-HD is a slim, pocketable camcorder (and 5-megapixel camera) with a swiveling 2.4-inch LCD and an SD slot that accommodates cards up to 8GB (good for about 4 hours of HD video--get one here for a measly $28). It captures video in H.264 format, which you should have no trouble editing in programs like Pinnacle Studio Plus 11. And it includes component-video outputs for connecting directly to your HDTV.

I haven't tried the A-HD myself, but I can tell you it has a few limitations--most notably its lack of an optical zoom. According to various user reviews, it falters when capturing fast-moving subjects, and it's not particularly good at recording audio. (Speaking of reviews, watch this unintentionally hilarious one on YouTube.)

Despite these weak spots, the A-HD could be a great starter HD camcorder, or even a secondary one for two-camera shoots. You can get it for $119.99 shipped from Amazon. Circuit City has it for the same price, though you'll likely have to pay sales tax as well. Even so, this is without a doubt the best deal you're likely to find on an HD camcorder. The Cheapskate is mighty tempted.

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posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 4:05 AM | 0 comments
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Sony's smallest high-def camcorder yet

Sony's new Handycam HDR-TG1 is quite small for an AVCHD model, but at $900 it's not for everybody.

Sony's new Handycam HDR-TG1 is quite small for an AVCHD model, but at $900 it's not for everybody.

(Credit: Sony)

Last year Sony introduced the NSC-GC1 Net-Sharing CAM, a pocket-sized camcorder that captures video at up to 640x480-pixels and 30 frames per second. Now, they've introduced a high-end version called the Handycam HDR-TG1 that can capture full 1920x1080-pixel high-definition video in AVCHD format, which it records onto MemoryStick Pro Duo flash memory cards. Its $900 price tag left my jaw on the floor, but there are some nifty features included for a camcorder this size and it does include a 4GB Pro Duo Mark2 memory card in that price.

Though it measures 1.3 x 4.7 x 2.5 inches, the camcorder includes a 10x optical zoom lens and uses a 2-megapixel ClearVid CMOS Exmor sensor to capture images. Sony interpolates the stills up to 4MP. The company includes its BIONZ processing engine to crunch the bits and to power noise reduction and dynamic range optimization. Sony says that the camera can record sound in Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround, though the amount of channel separation you'll realistically get from any built-in camcorder microphone can't even remotely match a cinematic surround sound experience. It is a zoom mic, though, so that's definitely a plus. The TG1 also includes face detection, so it can find up to 8 faces in a scene and adjust focus, exposure, and color controls based on those faces. In still mode, face detection can also automatically adjust flash output. Video geeks might want to note that the HDR-TG1 doesn't do progressive-scan recording, only interlaced.

Sony will begin shipping the Handycam HDR-TG1 in May. They're also going to offer a custom-fit case for $50 and an optional travel kit, which will cost $100 and includes an extra battery, travel charger, and a pouch to hold it all.

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posted by actfind on Jul 30, 2008 3:59 AM | 0 comments
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