Ambarella from California has developed a family of low-cost, multicore microprocessors that efficiently compresses and processes HD video. These chips when incorporated into a $799 video camera or digital still cameras will give the ability to take hi-resolution stills of up to 8 megapixels as well as TV-quality video. So far a trio of major camera makers has begun building experimental models with Ambarella’s chips embedded within. HD-quality cameras are the future.
Thomas Hawk via
Digital Media Thoughts
Panasonic’s
AG-HVX200 is the industry’s first handheld high definition solid-state memory camcorder. It will be delivered to resellers on 29 December onwards, bringing consumers the power to combine multiple high and standard definition formats, multiple recording modes, and variable frame rates. Priced at $5995, it is not cheap. Cough up an extra $1300 to purchase the camcorder and a couple of 4GB P2 cards. It records in 1080i and 720p formats, offering a full 4:2:2 color sampling for superior results. (
specs below) Via
BIOS Magazine
The Sanyo Xacti VPC HD1EX is a fashionable digital camera that comes with a whole slew of features that will keep any casual shutterbug happy. It looks much like its predecessors, the Xacti C5 and C4, and comes with a lovely 5-megapixel resolution, video recording function @ 30fps in 1270 x 720 pixels, and a 2.2” OLED display that can swivel up to 293 degrees for greater flexibility. Shutting the screen will put the camera into standby mode. The HD1EX measures just 80 x 119 x 36 mm and weighs 205g. (
specs below) Via
Let's Go Digital
Toshiba’s upcoming pocket projector takes a step after Samsung with their 140mm x 102mm x 57mm, 565g DLP projector. Resolution is set at 800 x 600 while the USB port provides direct access that enables you to display pictures straight off the port. An optional 250g battery pack offers up to 2 hours of performance. Expect to fork out 700 Euro for this DLP projector. Via
Akihabara News
CameraBright, a company that caters to the consumer photography market has launched a couple of new products - the X1-ER+ lighting accessory and the HS1 universal shoe adapter. The $39.95 CameraBright! X1-ER+ is a camera light that can connect to virtually every digital camera, film camera or camcorder via the tripod mount. It remains on whenever you want unlike a regular flash, giving more flexibility in taking poorly lit shots. The $12.95 CameraBright HS1 is an adapter that bridges the X1 to a Digital SLR camera or camcorder via the Hotshoe mount. (
specs below). Via
Mobile Whack
Sanyo's flagship Xacti E6 boasts good image quality, easy operation, and extreme portability. The generous 3" LCD monitor works well with the Touch sensor functions, making it a very viable option as workhorse photo viewer. Its Touch sensor managed to reduce time lag to a minimum in the process. Its 6 megapixel resolution and 3x optical zoom captures beautiful pictures, showing very little color shifting. The minimal amount of buttons does not hamper it, instead it shows how great the UI is. The Xacti E6 is a great starting point for any point & shoot photograper. Via
Let's Go Digital
