(Credit: Pure Digital)
With many electronics makers looking to replicate the success of the Flip video camera, the company behind it, Cisco, is looking for a new way to stand out.
Since the Flip's debut in 2007, a parade of similar sub-$200 camcorders, from far more established names have followed, including those from Sony, Samsung, Kodak, Creative, Toshiba, and others. Now the Flip folks are mixing it up a bit.
Instead of readying an updated camera for the holidays, the newest product isn't a camera at all, but a tiny, square-ish box that plugs into a TV. Using a small white USB dongle, it can stream your homemade Flip videos stored on your computer to your TV's larger screen, with the ability to sort through videos using an included remote control. The system is called Flipshare TV, and it's available starting Wednesday.
Some 3 million of the pocket-sized flash-based cameras have sold since the Flip's launch in 2007. After establishing the brand, the device's makers Pure Digital sold the company to networking giant Cisco for $590 million.
Jonathan Kaplan, Flip founder and current vice president of Cisco's consumer products group, said earlier this year to expect "networked" Flip cameras, and Flipshare TV is one example of that.
The idea behind Flipshare TV is that you'll be more likely to watch your videos after making them if you can show them to a larger group on a larger screen. Taking home video is great, as Flip's head of marketing Simon Fleming-Wood says, but "the key is the ability is to do fun things with it."
Those "fun" things are enabled by the Flipshare software, now in version 5.0., and the Flip Channels feature, launched in June. With the latest update, anyone can create a Flip Channel, through which they can upload their own videos and share them with specific people or groups. Those on the receiving end of a shared video have options. If they are also in possession of a Flipshare TV box, videos shared with them will automatically appear whenever it's turned on. Pure Digital is hoping this will be popular with families with relatives living far apart.
If they'd still rather see it on the computer, they can watch shared video via YouTube, MySpace, or Facebook. Flipshare 5.0 also integrates with a free Flip mobile application. Once installed on an iPhone, Android phone, or BlackBerry, new videos will appear automatically in the app when they are shared with the user.
The problem with a single-purpose device like Flipshare TV, however, is that we now live in an age of Blu-ray players that can stream Netflix movies, video game consoles that let you Twitter, and TVs that let you check Facebook. In other words, with limited space in our media cabinets, it will make more sense to opt for multipurpose devices, not gadgets that do one thing only.
It's the same path Roku was on, as a box that initially did little more than stream Netflix movies. But that company is also realizing it has to do more to compete with the Xbox, and is in the process of creating an almost platform-like experience with different kinds of content (podcasts, live sports, video rentals, music streaming).
Cisco's Flip division, of course, doesn't think the $150 Flipshare TV necessarily belongs in the same category.
"We know people plug their cameras into the TV, and this connects by HDMI or composite (cable). It's no harder to plug into your TV than a camera," said Fleming-Wood.
Plus he says not everyone will want to make permanent space for it in the media cabinet.
"Some will have it plugged in only sometimes, others will have it plugged in all the time."
And there will be more in the future for Flipshare. The company has more people working on the software than on the hardware, according to Fleming-Wood. Under consideration is creating public Flip Channels. For now, all channels are invite-only. But there is potential for allowing the ability to browse videos that have been marked public, though it would lead inevitably to comparisons to YouTube, or Twitter, if users can elect to follow certain Flip user's channels. Pure Digital didn't want to "burden" itself by trying too much all at once in this release, said Fleming-Wood. "But I think that it's an obvious thing to consider doing."
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Put your Flip videos on the big(ger) screen
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Archos To Release Developer Firmware
Archos To Release Developer Firmware
Posted on Nov 28, 09 10:35 AM PDT
It looks like Archos is quite supportive of developers, evidenced by its recent PR that confirms that the company is making a proof-of-concept “developer edition” firmware for its ARCHOS 5 and ARCHOS 7 Internet Media Tablets. The firmware will be based on the Angstrom Linux distribution, though it certainly isn’t meant to be a commercial distro. Are you planning to tweak your Archos device with this when it’s released?
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Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Buying an HDTV? Here's What You Need to Know
Buying an HDTV? Here's What You Need to Know
How to Buy an HDTVTop HDTVsReady to upgrade your television? We have good news for you: HDTVs of all sizes and descriptions have never been more affordable. And while your quest will require time and patience (not to mention a well-honed BS detector), it's not that difficult if you keep a few points in mind. Here's Wired's quick guide for selecting the perfect flat-panel.
Sizing Up the Situation
Room size: Your first task is to take inventory of the room where you'll mount your centerpiece. Even the best TV can look like crap if placed in the wrong setting. Here's what you want to take into account:
1. Measure the room the TV will be placed in, then determine about how far away you'll sit from it. Use our handy chart below to figure which TV is the right size.
2. Determine the angle you'll watch your set from. Plasma screens yield better views from obtuse angles.
3. Count the number of windows in the room, and whether you can you actually control the light — ambient or otherwise.The basic rule of thumb for screen sizes to viewing distances should be as follows:
SCREEN SIZE OPTIMAL VIEWING DISTANCE 30 to 34 inches 3.75 to 6.25 feet 34 to 42 inches 4.25 to 7 feet 42 to 50 inches 5.25 to 8.75 feet 50 to 56 inches 6.25 to 10.5 feet 56 to 62 inches 7 to 11.75 feet 62 to 70 inches 7.75 to 13 feet Basic HDTV Tech
If you're in the market for a new HDTV, chances are you'll look at two main technologies: LCD and plasma. Rear-projection and OLED screens are available, but you should only consider those in very special cases.
LCD: The most popular and versatile technology is LCD. Its advantages include the widest range of screen sizes as well as picture performance that's finally rivaling plasmas. As a general rule, LCD sets reflect less light and tend to have brighter pictures, so they're ideal for rooms with ample windows. Some LCD manufacturers are beginning to eschew traditional fluorescent backlighting in favor of LED backlights, allowing for slimmer designs and brighter pictures.
Plasma: If you want to go big (50 inches or more), get plasma. Because LCDs dominate the mid-to-low size ranges on the market, plasma makers have refocused their efforts on larger screens, where they have a distinct price advantage. Plasmas consume more energy than LCDs, but they also yield a more enjoyable home-theater experience, particularly for discerning cinephiles. Picture consistency tends to be higher (there's less saturation and contrast loss when viewing at wider angles) and these sets have faster-pulsing pixels so they won't lose detail when displaying fast-moving images. Be warned: Plasmas are not the best fit for bright rooms because their glass screens reflect a good deal of light.
One of our favorite plasmas is the 42-inch Panasonic TC-P42G10, which goes for just $1,300 — not bad at all.
Rear-projection: All indications point to rear-projection being on its way out. But like any tech in its twilight, there are some fantastic deals to be had. If you want to go really big — 65-inches and above — it might make sense to take a cursory look at some of these sets. (Mitsubishi and Samsung are really the only two manufacturers still making them.) Warning: They're deeper than most flat screens (a foot thick or more), take up to a minute to warm up, and contain lamps inside that will need to be replaced every 3,000 to 6,000 hours, costing $200 to $300 a pop.
OLED: Short for organic light-emitting diode, this screen technology is still in its infancy — and it's extremely pricey. But uber-early adopters with plenty of disposable income can get a Sony commercial 11-inch OLED TV for a mere $2,500. Image quality blows away both LCDs and plasmas, with mind-boggling contrast ratios and deep, luxurious blacks, not to mention amazing thinness (the XEL-1 is 0.12 inch thick). It'll be at least two years until prices come down (and screen sizes go up) enough to make these sets a viable option for average consumers.
Key Features
Resolution: Right now 1080p (1,920 x 1,080 pixels with progressive scan) is the high point for TV resolution. And if you can afford a 1080p set, we say go for it. But keep in mind a few caveats: A person with perfect vision at a viewing distance of 12 feet or more will be unable to tell the difference between two identically sized 720p and 1080p sets playing the same Blu-ray disc.
Indeed resolution is really only important relative to where you sit. Put simply, you need to be closer to a 1080p set to get the full HD thrill ride. If you're stuck at a longer viewing distance, you should at least consider looking at 720p HDTVs or purchasing a larger 1080p HD set.
For more information on distance and resolution, see HD Guru's fantastic seating chart for an optimal HD viewing experience.
Refresh rate: The refresh rate refers to the number of times per second that a TV's image is repainted (or refreshed). It really only applies to LCD panels, which up until a few years ago all came at standard 60 Hz. The problem: Fast motion took on a blurred, herky-jerky quality. So, in an effort to maintain picture detail in these rapidly moving scenes, manufacturers started developing 120-Hz displays. These sets basically interpolate an extra frame in between each normal frame in order to make quick motion look smoother. You paid more for a 120-Hz screen last year. This year, however, most mid- to high-end sets come with a 120-Hz refresh rate baked in. Some even come with 240-Hz refresh rates (more on that in a bit).
Response time: Measured in milliseconds, response time is the amount of time it takes for one pixel on the screen to change from black (or gray) to white and back to black again. Indeed, as pictures on the screen change, so too must the pixels. In some cases, the pixels simply can't keep up, effectively keeping the old image on the screen. This translates into a blurry image that appears smeared. When shopping for HDTVs, look for lower response times, ideally 4 milliseconds (8 ms is acceptable, too).
Contrast ratio: The difference between the brightest whites and the darkest blacks? That would be contrast ratio, and the higher the better. A TV with a high contrast will crank out superior subtle color details and will fit nicely in rooms with more ambient light. Make sure you compare apples to apples, though. Static contrast measures the difference between the lightest and darkest images simultaneously, while dynamic contrast measures the same thing over time. The latter is often at least four times higher than the former.
Extra, Extra!
LED backlit: Chances are you already have a notebook screen (and possibly a computer monitor) with an LED screen. Indeed, there are numerous advantages to using LEDs over fluorescent lighting, including better energy efficiency, increased contrast and a richer color gamut. This year, TV makers started offering LED backlit panels, too. The only problem is many weren't exactly forthcoming about how these LEDs were being used. True LED backlight is still rare — and expensive. Many manufacturers, like Samsung, are lining their high-end sets with LEDs around the frame. This pays dividends in brightness and color, but you'll shell out more for these sets.
240 Hz: Twice as smooth as 120 Hz, right? Think again. As with the megapixel myth, bigger numbers don't always translate into better results. While the smooth, anti-judder capabilities of 120-Hz refresh rates can make a big difference in LCD panels, most viewers won't be able to tell the difference between 120 Hz and 240 Hz. And be forewarned: Sometimes 240 Hz can overcompensate and lend an artificial camcorder effect to images.
Web wizards: Also new this year is a fleet of sets with 24/7 web connectivity. Most of these HDTVs run Yahoo's Widget Engine and deliver weather, Twitter, YouTube, Amazon VOD, news, sports and other web content right on your big screen. The experience depends largely on the manufacturer. On some sets, the widgets can be excruciatingly slow to load. Your best bet is to test out a few connected TVs to see if the premium you'll pay is worth it.
Wired's Top HDTV Picks
Panasonic TC-P42G10
The demise of Pioneer's Kuro plasmas this year (a line that many considered the ne plus ultra of HDTVs) had cinephiles shaking their fists. Then came Panasonic with its new G10 line. This series of THX-certified sets floored us with its stunning pictures. And at $1,300 for 42 inches of screen real estate, it's the greatest steal since the Thomas Crown Affair.
Samsung UN46B7000
Impossibly thin and brighter than a supernova, this is one of the best-looking HDTVs — on or off. Samsung got rid of the fluorescent backlight and replaced it with LEDs around the bezel. The result is a set that sips electricity, yet produces some of the most vivid colors we've seen on an LCD panel.
Sony Bravia KDL-52W5100
If you're after internet content, this is your web-slinging savior. You'll get tons of streamed goodies, including Netflix, and have one of the most compelling reasons to ditch cable altogether.
- Manufacturer: Roundup:
- Price: Roundup
iPaq Glisten smartphone by HP
iPaq Glisten smartphone by HP
Posted on Nov 24, 09 11:06 AM PDT
HP and T&T just announced the iPaq Glisten, a GSM Windows Mobile 6.5 Smartphone that uses an AMOLED display. Apart from the typical Windows Mobile 6.5 features, the Glisten features an unified inbox, which is not new on competing platforms. It comes pre-loaded with the Facebook app for Windows Mobile and will cost $299 with a two year contract, which is the upper-range. If you really need decent mobile office support, that may be something to look at (this is a phone for "pros").
- GSM 3G world phone
- 2.5" AMOLED Display
- Windows Mobile 6.5
- 3.1 Megapixel Camera
- GPS, turn-by-turn navigation,
- Mobile office
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Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Three Generations Compared: Is Your DVD Burner Outdated? : Old Versus New: DVD Drives Compared - Review Tom's Hardware
Roughly $30 is all you need to get a decent CD/DVD burner.
Blu-ray drives, which increase capacities from 8.5GB (double layer DVDs) to 25GB, are still rather expensive and fail to deliver acceptable cost per gigabyte ratios, especially when weighed against ever-falling hard drive prices. Still, there has been progress in the DVD segment, and we wanted to take a closer look.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
MPIO V7 PMP hits October 26th, 2009, we struggle to contain ourselves
MPIO V7 PMP hits October 26th, 2009, we struggle to contain ourselves
by Laura June
posted Oct 21st 2009 at 6:11PM
It's been a pretty long while since we heard anything from MPIO -- so this is certainly good news. The V7 -- a 3-inch PMP which will apparently boast a (possibly capacitive) touchscreen LCD, an accelerometer, and an FM radio, at a thickness in the neighborhood of 10.5mm. We also know that it'll come in both 4GB and 8GB varieties -- but specs beyond this are sadly absent. We'll see what else we can dig up for you, but look for it to run ₩129,000 for the 4GB model and ₩159,000 ($109 and $134, respectively) for the 8 when it launches on Korea on October 26th.[Via PMP Today]
HTC's HD2 continues to impress, reveals multi-touch web browsing
HTC's HD2 continues to impress, reveals multi-touch web browsing
by Tim Stevens
posted Oct 22nd 2009 at 6:57AM
We've seen plenty about HTC's hot HD2, gone hands-on and sized it up next to everyone's most/least favorite smartphone, but there's one thing we haven't seen yet: multi-touch in IE. The video embedded below from Techblog.gr is in a language you may not quite understand, but certainly everyone can grok the snappy UI performance and the pinch zooming demonstrated at the 2:20 mark. It does look a wee bit unresponsive at this point, but HTC still has time to make things perfect before releasing it here -- though to be honest we'd rather just have it now.
[Via WMPoweruser.com]
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Barnes & Noble 'Nook' e-reader with color touchscreen out Tuesday for $259, says WSJ (update: Best Buy connection?)
Barnes & Noble 'Nook' e-reader with color touchscreen out Tuesday for $259, says WSJ (update: Best Buy connection?)
by Ross Miller
posted Oct 19th 2009 at 7:23PM
Looks like the cat's out of the bag. The Wall Street Journal's had a glimpse at what it says is an upcoming ad for Barnes & Noble's impending announcement, which just so happens to be a e-book reader with color touch screen (sound familiar?) dubbed the Nook. According to the article, it'll be out Tuesday, retail for $259, and will let users "lend e-books to friends." Very interesting, indeed -- so who's excited for tomorrow?Update: We can't say with 100 percent assurance, but a reliable source of ours claims that Barnes & Noble will be partnering with Best Buy for sales of the device, and units will actually be available this Thursday. That last bit sounds daring at best, as it's Windows 7 launch day, but you never know what folks will get up to these days. Stay tuned!
Filed under: Handhelds
Tags: barnes and noble, barnes noble, BarnesAndNoble, BarnesNoble, breaking news, BreakingNews, e book, e book reader, e reader, e-book, e-book reader, E-bookReader, e-reader, EBook, EBookReader, EReader, leak, leaks, nook, rumor, rumors, the nook, TheNook
Acer AS1410 Notebook Is Netbook-Sized and Netbook-Priced [Laptops]
Acer's new AS1410 notebook, a 11.6-incher, may look like a netbook and start at $400, but it's definitely a step up: It's got a multitouch trackpad, Celeron proc, Windows 7 and HDMI-out, plus a full-sized keyboard.
The AS1410 offers options more powerful than a netbook but not as powerful as what we think of as a full-fledged notebook. It's got a Celeron instead of an Atom, offers 2GB or 4GB of memory, up to a 250GB hard drive, runs Windows 7 and has both a multitouch trackpad and a full-sized keyboard (despite the laptop's screen size being only 11.6 inches). It'll be available sometime this holiday season, starting at $400, which should make it a solid netbook competitor. Press release below. [Acer]
NEW ACER AS1410 SERIES BRINGS STYLE AND AFFORDABILITY TO ULTRAPORTABLE COMPUTING
11.6-inch notebook lightens the load for mobile users who want to enjoy social networking, video and productivity applications on the go; available for just $399
SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 20, 2009 – Bringing affordability to the ultraportable notebook platform, Acer America today announced the new Acer Aspire AS1410 Series. These new notebooks integrate enough power for enjoying digital entertainment in a very sleek, stylish design for just $399.
"With the rising popularity of social networking, consumers are more connected than ever to the online world," said Ray Sawall, senior manager of product marketing for Acer America. "When it comes to selecting a notebook, they're increasingly concerned with size, weight and style. The AS1410 Series is small enough to be carried in a backpack or even a large purse but with enough power for spreadsheets and presentations. Aggressively priced, the AS1410 is an affordable mobile solution for checking Twitter updates, viewing YouTube videos and handling productivity applications on a plane, at school or a coffee house. Those in the market for a netbook should consider this notebook as an option, due to the step up in processing power."
Just one-inch-thin and 3.08 pounds, these systems are sleek and light, but with a full-size keyboard. The full-sized keyboard is comfortable and easy to type on, particularly for taking advantage of productivity applications. The compact size combined with a traditional keyboard comprises a convenient platform for frequent travelers and students. With the needs of mobile users in mind, the AS1410 Series is designed to suit an individual's own personal flair with three elegant color options - Diamond Black, Sapphire Blue and Ruby Red.
Powerful Performance; Petite Package
Although it's the size of a netbook, the Aspire AS1410 Series is truly a mainstream notebook with the performance to suit a variety of users. Featuring an Intel® Celeron® processor and 2GB DDR2 memory (upgradeable to 4GB), the notebooks have plenty of power for document creation, media playback and daily task management.
The systems are also outfitted with the new Windows 7 Home Premium operating system and up to a 250GB hard drive,(1) which is large enough to store a vast library of music, images and spreadsheets. Offering plenty of productive time when away from a power outlet, a 6-cell Lithium Ion battery provides up to a whopping six hours of battery life,(2) enough power to keep the PC charged on a coast to coast flight.
The systems are also primed for visual clarity. The 11.6-inch widescreen HD LED-backlit display is large enough to comfortably view videos, photos, documents and web pages. Featuring LED backlit technology, a 16:9 aspect ratio and Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD, the AS1410 Series delivers realistic HD pictures with crisp detail and smooth video playback.
Integrated speakers and Dolby® Sound Room® audio enhancement deliver lifelike sound for enjoying videos, movie downloads and music. A webcam and digital microphone make it fun and easy to get virtual face time with friends and family via live video streaming and video chat.
Intuitive PC Navigation, Convenient Connectivity
Affording easy, intuitive PC navigation, the new Aspire notebooks have a multi-gesture touchpad. Users can scroll, zoom in and out and quickly flip through web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more by pinching, flicking and swirling their fingers across the touchpad.
Despite the compact form factor, the new notebooks offer a wide array of ports including an integrated multi-in-one media reader to conveniently transfer files from digital devices. An HDMI port allows the systems to support any PC or TV video format via a single cable, while three USB 2.0 ports enable connection to the latest peripherals and digital devices. Advanced Intel 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N Wireless and Gigabit Ethernet LAN enable fast access to email, the web and social networks.
Pricing/Configurations/Availability
The Acer® Aspire AS1410 Series notebooks will be available for U.S. customers at leading retailers this holiday season. A sample configuration as well as specifications and pricing follow.Acer® Aspire AS1410 Notebook PC - Prices begin at $399.99
* Intel® Celeron® Processor SU2300 (1.2GHz, 1MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
* 11.6-Inch HD Widescreen CineCrystal™ LED-Backlit Display (16.9 Aspect Ratio; 1366x768 Resolution)
* Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
* Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
* 2GB DDR2 Dual-Channel 667MHz Memory (Upgradeable to 4GB)
* 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive(2)
* Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader
* Intel® WiFi Link 1000 802.11 a/b/g/Draft-N
* Integrated Acer Crystal Eye Webcam
* Two Built-In Stereo Speakers and Dolby® Sound Room® Audio Enhancement
* Full-Size Acer FineTip Keyboard
* Multi-Gesture Touchpad Supporting Circular Motion, Scrolling, Pinch-Action Zoom and Page Flip
* Three USB 2.0 Ports
* HDMI Port
* 6-Cell Li-Ion Battery (4400 mAh), up to Six Hours Battery Life
* 3.08 Pounds
* Two-Year International Travelers Limited Warranty
Send an email to Dan Nosowitz, the author of this post, at dnosowitz@gizmodo.com.
Canon 1D Mark IV: The $5000 New King of Cameras [Canon]
The videos are out, and now so's the camera: $5000 buys you a 16MP DSLR that shoots at a whopping 102,400ISO with a new 45-point autofocus system, 10fps bursts, and oh yeah—suck it D3s, incredible 1080p video.
The 1D Mark IV uses an APS-H-sized 16-megapixel sensor that's "similar in size to a Super 35mm motion picture film frame" with a 1.3x crop factor (so not full-frame, booo) , and a normal ISO range of 100 to 12,800, with expanded going up to 102,400 ISO (like Nikon's fresh D3s). The new 45-point autofocus system has 39 cross-type points and uses a new AI Servo II AF predictive focusing algorithm that's supposed to be faster, which is handy, since it shoots in 10fps bursts.
But, let's talk about video, which Canon isn't too shy of making the star of this camera: You get full manual exposure control, stereo mic input, and 1080p video at 24, 25 or 30fps; 720p and standard def at 50 or 60fps; and the samples, while obviously Canon-vetted, so far look seriously amazing (that's a link to a full-res1080p stream of the video above, by Vincent Laforet).
There's a new auto-lighting optimizer that automatically adjusts contrast and brightness in-camera that sounds sorta like Nikon's Active D-Lighting. And hurray, a new white balance algorithm that's better at low color temperatures, something that Nikon's typically been better with in the past.
It's coming out in December for $5000. Man, pro DSLRs just got way more interesting again. Six-digit ISO speeds, extreme low-light performance , high-def video: It's a war.
INTRODUCING THE ULTIMATE MULTIMEDIA IMAGING SOLUTION:
THE NEW CANON EOS-1D MARK IV DIGITAL SLR CAMERAThe EOS-1D Mark IV Features a Completely Redesigned 45-Point Autofocus System, Fast 10 fps Continuous Shooting, 16-Megapixel Resolution, Outstanding ISO Sensitivity, and Full HD Video Recording at Selectable Frame Rates
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., October 20, 2009 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, is proud to introduce the next evolution in the EOS 1D series of cameras: the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera. The EOS-1D Mark IV is a high-speed multimedia performance monster with a 16-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, Dual DIGIC 4 Imaging Processors, and 14-bit A/D data conversion, all at 10 frames-per-second (fps), with the widest ISO range Canon has produced to date. This new camera also features 1080p Full High-Definition video capture at selectable frame rates packaged in Canon's most rugged and durable professional camera body.
The crowning achievement of Canon's 1D Mark IV Digital SLR is its new autofocus system that starts with 45 AF points including 39 high-precision cross-type focusing points capable of tracking fast moving athletes or wildlife accurately at speeds up to 10 frames per second. With greater subject detection capability than ever before plus a newly redesigned AI Servo II AF predictive focusing algorithm, the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV camera sets new standards for autofocus performance among professional digital SLRs. Whether shooting for the six o'clock news or the front page, the EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR is the quintessential camera to freeze fast-moving action with high-speed stills or capture stunning HD video with dynamic color and image quality. To accompany the new EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera, Canon is also announcing a new accessory, the WFT-E2 II A wireless file transmitter providing photographers with a wide range of professional digital connectivity options.
"Canon works hard to be the imaging leader in all our business endeavors. This goal has fueled our innovation and R&D efforts to engineer the most advanced autofocus system Canon has ever produced. We are proud to announce the camera that will deliver the ultimate in imaging quality to professionals working in all areas of multimedia imaging, whether it's action photography, photojournalism or HD video and cinematography," stated Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.
The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV camera will intrigue professional photographers in virtually every category from photojournalism and sports through nature, wedding, portrait and fashion to commercial, industrial and law enforcement. What makes the EOS-1D Mark IV camera different from its predecessors, in addition to numerous focusing system and image quality improvements, is its exceptional Full HD video capture capability. With this new level of functionality, the 1D Mark IV Digital SLR is destined to appeal not only to professional still photographers but also to a diverse market of professional videographers and filmmakers who are looking for exceptional Full HD video quality, amazing low-light performance, outstanding portability and a level of durability unheard of in most HD video cameras in this price range.
New 45-Point Autofocus System
The new EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera features Canon's most advanced Autofocus system to date. It is equipped with a newly developed 45-point AF sensor featuring 39 high-precision cross-type AF points, and an all new AI Servo II AF mode that gives still photographers the power and performance to track and focus a fast-moving subject at speeds up to 10 frames per second. With more than twice as many cross-type focusing points as the EOS-1D Mark III and a new AF sensor construction that improves performance in low light and with low contrast subjects, the EOS-1D Mark IV has greater subject detection capabilities than any previous EOS model. To complete the range of AF improvements, Canon has developed a new AI Servo II AF predictive focusing algorithm that significantly improves responsiveness and stability by making better decisions on focus tracking in a variety of shooting conditions.Amazing High ISO Performance
Wedding and event photographers shooting in low light without the benefit of a flash can take advantage of Canon's widest ISO range and highest performance ever. The EOS-1D Mark IV camera's ISO speed settings range from 100 up to 12,800 in 1/3 or 1/2 stop increments with ISO Expansion settings of L: 50 for bright light or H1: 25,600, H2: 51,200, and H3: 102,400 for even the most dimly lit situations. Photographers and documentary filmmakers working in available light will be impressed by the low-noise image quality of the 1D Mark IV, capturing amazing still images and video footage even at speed settings as high as ISO 12,800. High ISO, low light still images are further enhanced by Canon's adjustable High ISO Noise Reduction feature, now a default setting in the camera.The EOS-1D Mark IV, EOS HD Video Powerhouse
Over the past year, Canon's EOS HD Video technology has changed the way users capture 1080p HD video and opened new doors for multimedia journalists and Hollywood cinematographers alike with full manual exposure control, selectable frame rates, and interchangeable lenses on some of the largest and most sensitive image sensors on the market. Canon continues this innovation trend with the new EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR with Full HD capture and full manual exposure control, plus selectable frame rates on an all-new APS-H-sized image sensor that's similar in size to a Super 35mm motion picture film frame. The large sensor allows filmmakers to achieve shallow depth-of-field just as cinematographers have traditionally done using much higher-cost motion picture equipment.The more than 50 Canon EF lenses compatible with the EOS-1D Mark IV give videographers incredible creative options, including an impressive selection of large-aperture professional L-series primes as well as zoom lenses, macro, Tilt-Shift and Fisheye optics. The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV allows for three video recording resolutions – 1080p Full HD and 720p HD in a 16:9 aspect ratio and Standard Definition (SD) in a 4:3 aspect ratio. The camera will record Full HD at 1920 x 1080 in selectable frame rates of 24p (23.976), 25p, or 30p (29.97); and 720p HD or SD video recording at either 50p or 60p (59.94). SD video can be recorded in either NTSC or PAL standards. Sound is recorded either through the internal monaural microphone or via optional external microphones connected to the stereo microphone input. The camera also provides an in-camera video editing function allowing users to remove the start or ending of a video clip directly in the camera to eliminate unwanted footage and speed up post-production.
Image Quality and Performance
The heart of the EOS-1D Mark IV camera's outstanding image quality is a newly developed 16.1-Megapixel CMOS sensor featuring Canon's latest and most advanced proprietary technologies. These technologies include improved photodiode construction to enhance dynamic range and gapless microlenses that are positioned closer to the photodiodes for improved light gathering efficiency. The transmissive quality of the color filter array has been enhanced to improve sensitivity. Canon has also upgraded the sensor circuitry to improve noise reduction before the image data is exported from the CMOS sensor to the rest of the image processing chain.With 60 percent more pixels than the EOS-1D Mark III, the EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR employs Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors with approximately six times the processing power of DIGIC III for full 14-bit A/D conversion at 10 fps. High-speed continuous shooting up to 121 Large JPEGs is possible using a UDMA CF card. This camera also features three RAW shooting modes for versatility with Full RAW (approx. 16 million pixels), M-RAW (approx. nine million pixels), and S-RAW (approx. four million pixels). Three additional JPEG recording formats (M1, M2 and Small) are also available.
The 14-bit per channel conversion facilitated by the dual DIGIC 4 Processors provides smoother tonalities in final images capturing all 16,384 distinct tones in each channel (red, green and blue) at the full 10 fps frame rate. RAW images shot on the new Canon EOS-1D Mark IV use the entire 14-bit space when converted to 16-bit TIFF files in Canon Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software, which is supplied with the camera at no extra charge. The 14-bit A/D conversion is also the foundation for Canon's Highlight Tone Priority feature that takes maximum advantage of the camera's extensive dynamic range to preserve detail in highlight areas of the image. Canon's new EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR also features an improved white balance algorithm making colors more accurate when shooting under low color temperature light sources such as household tungsten lamps.
The EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR features Canon's Peripheral Illumination Correction function which corrects darkening that can occur in the corners of images with most lenses when used at their largest apertures. When activated, it is automatically applied to JPEG images and video clips as they are shot. For RAW images, it can be applied in DPP software.
Other new features include a large three-inch solid structure Clear View II LCD screen with 920,000 dot/VGA resolution and a wide 160-degree viewing angle for enhanced clarity and more precise color when reviewing images and shooting video. The new in-camera copyright information feature helps professionals secure control over images by setting copyright data directly into the camera and appending that information to each image file in the Exif metadata. Additional features include a fluorine coating on the Low Pass Filter to further repel dust and enhance the EOS Integrated Cleaning System.
Minimize Post-Production with Enhanced Canon Auto Lighting Optimizer
Action photography truly is all about speed, capturing a fast subject with fast focusing and fast frame rates. However, all this speed might be wasted if it is slowed down by lengthy post-production procedures to adjust image quality. The EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR helps reduce post-production work with a powerful new Auto Lighting Optimizer (ALO) system. When enabled, Canon's ALO automatically adjusts the image for optimal brightness and contrast on the fly during in-camera image processing, reducing clipped highlights while keeping shadowed areas as clear and detailed as they actually appear. By optimizing brightness and contrast in-camera, Canon's ALO system significantly reduces the need for post-production image optimization, and gives photographers image quality they can take directly to press. Demanding professional photographers who tested ALO clearly stated that this one feature will reduce their post-production image optimization process by more than 75 percent. Canon's ALO works with both RAW[i] and JPEG images as well as video recording.Rugged Reliability
Canon has taken every measure to ensure that the EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera has the highest degree of weather resistance in the EOS line. The 1D Mark IV camera incorporates a wide range of design features that enhance its durability and reliability for professional assignments. For example, the 1D Mark IV's body, chassis and lens mount are completely weather-resistant and 76 gaskets and seals surround all buttons and seams. The body covers and internal chassis, including the mirror box, are constructed with magnesium-alloy, one of the strongest and rigid metals available for its weight. For added strength, the lens mount is constructed with stainless steel. In fact, when used with Canon's Speedlite 580EX II and/or most current L-series lenses, the entire camera system remains fully weather resistant, so professionals can concentrate on getting the shot instead of worrying about protecting their gear.New Wireless Connectivity
Canon is announcing the availability of the new WFT-E2 II A* wireless file transmitter exclusively for the EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera. The WFT-E2 II A wireless transmitter is an extremely small and versatile device that offers professional photographers a wide range of digital connectivity options including IEEE802.11a/b/g and Ethernet, ideal for commercial and studio work. In addition to adding the ability to connect to wireless networks over 802.11a, the new WFT-E2 II A adds a wealth of new professional features to the photographer's tool kit. The new Camera Linking feature allows a single photographer to simultaneously fire up to 10 cameras remotely; and the updated WFT Server mode lets you remotely use Live View, control settings, and fire the EOS-1D Mark IV over the internet from anywhere in the world using a standard Web browser or many Web-enabled smart phones. Additionally, geotagging is now possible via Bluetooth, using compatible GPS devices to append coordinate data to the images.Pricing and Availability
The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Digital SLR camera is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers in late December, and will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $4,999.00[ii]. Final pricing and availability for the Canon WFT-E2 II A wireless file transmitter will be available later this year.[Canon]
Send an email to matt buchanan, the author of this post, at matt@gizmodo.com.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Satsports releases GPS unit for active people
GPS maker Satsports recently debuted its latest GPS unit designed for skiers, golfers, cyclists, and others who enjoy the outdoors and want to track overall physical activities.
It comes equipped with a 2.7-inch full color touchscreen that that contributes to a good user experience with the device. Videos, MP3s and photos can all be displayed using the screen, which I think are all extremely interesting features for a GPS device.
In addition to these features, Satsports also is interested in providing software and apps that can be downloaded for more functionality. The company has a custom app for skiers/snowboarders, golfers, runner and hikers, and an optional, enhanced GPS app that can be purchased for use with street navigation.
A Pocket Caddy app is designed for golfers, and includes yardages, record and track games by rounds, and 2D and 3D flyovers of the golf holes on a course. The last major app, Satsports Log, helps runners and cyclists monitor speed, time, distance and altitude.
The Satsports GPS unit also has support for several custom apps, depending on which activity is being enjoyed at the time. The Satski application provides owners the opportunity to look at trail maps from major ski resorts across the world. It can also track speed, distance, movement and altitude.
The Satsports GPS has a $490 MSRP and is available now.
I pay somewhat close attention to GPS units, as I’m an avid cyclist and runner who relies on a GPS to monitor training. And although the unit itself looks interesting — and offers appealing apps — I’m not honestly sure if I need a device with such a big screen.
Who Needs Training Wheels When You Have Ridiculously Elaborate Bicycle Simulators? [Simulators]
Back in my day, a Huffy and some training wheels were all I needed to learn how to ride a bike. Honda thinks today's kids need something more—like a ridiculously elaborate and expensive bicycle simulator.
The idea is to teach kids how to bike safely by placing them in a variety of real-world scenarios like "going to school", "going to the grocery store", and the like. Targeted for driving schools and educational institutions, Japanese parents can spend some time with their child learning the basics without having to worry for their safety. After a few years, they just might be ready to go outside on a real bike with a helmet and a cocoon of bubble wrap on. [Far East Gizmos via Coolest Gadgets via DVICE]
Send an email to Sean Fallon, the author of this post, at sean@gizmodo.com.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Hands-on: Western Digital's all new WD TV Live
The new WD TV Live DH Media player shares the same shape and size with the previous model, the WD TV, but has a lot more to offer.
(Credit: Josh P. Miller/CNETAwhile ago, Western Digital tackled the home entertainment arena with the WD TV, which turned out to be a success. Nonetheless, a lot of enthusiasts, including me, were turned off by the fact that the WD TV lacks support for networking and doesn't include the ability to decode DTS audio, which is popularly used in compressed Hi-Def video formats.
It seems Western Digital took our complaints to heart as the company announced Tuesday the availability of the next generation of the device, the WD TV Live HD Media Player.
Outside, the WD TV Live has the same shape and size as the WD TV. However, on the back, apart from the USB, HDMI, and composite ports, you'll find the newly added 10/100 Ethernet port. This port opens the device to many possibilities, which, for now, include access to YouTube, Flickr, and Internet radio stations.
On the inside, the device now can decode both DTS and DTS 2.0 audio encoding and sports a faster processor.
Like the previous WD TV, the new WD TV Live supports playing back all kinds of video, audio, and photo formats, including the most popular Hi-Def video formats such as Mastroska (MKV) and DiVx. In addition, it also has these new and improved features:
- Full-HD 1080p video playback with support for different sound tracks, subtitle (when available) and the ability to decode DTS audio
- Play videos, music, photos and radio from the Internet
- Ethernet port for wired connection to access digital content from other network devices
- Supports two USB mass storage devices at the same time, including external hard drives, digital cameras, camcorders, and portable media players
I tried the unit out and it was indeed a much better experience than the WD TV.
The WD TV Live now takes less time to scan for new contents from the external storage. It took just a few seconds to work on a 320GB hard drive. Overall, the interface is also much more responsive than the previous model's, though once in a while there is some lag during the playback of a Hi-Def movie.
The device works very well with Internet contents. You can browse YouTube files based on different categories such as Top Rated, Most Viewed, Favorite, Featured Video... or you can log in to your account and view your personal picks. Video playback quality is very good and if you have a good connection (such as cable or DSL), the playback starts instantly.
I had similar a experience with Flickr. It was easy to browse for photos and play them as a slideshow. Unfortunately, there's no option to automatically zoom the photo out to fit the TV screen. You can only zoom one photo at a time.
For now, the Internet access is limited to just YouTube, Flickr, and Internet radios including Pandora and Live365. It would be better if the device could check e-mail, support instant messaging, and allow for access to subscription movie services, such as Netflix. Word from Western Digital has it that more Internet-based features will be added with new firmware in the future.
The new WD TV Live can also reach out to other network devices to look for digital content for playing back. This makes WD TV Live not just an accessory for external hard drives but also that of NAS servers.
The best experience, however, is with Hi-Def video playback. Now that the device can decode DTS sound, there's no need to use a separate cable for audio for video files that has DTS encoded sound, which most of Mastroska files do. All you need is the HDMI cable for both video and audio. I also find the Hi-Def video quality slightly better than that of the WD TV. This is possibly because the WD TV Live now supports the latest version 1.3 of HDMI standard.
On the downside, the WD TV Live shares the same remote control with the WD TV. While this remote works well for the WD TV, it doesn't for the WD TV Live as there are not so much more things to do. For example, it's a pain to enter an e-mail address, you have to use the remote control to move around the onscreen keyboard and pick one letter at a time.
Nonetheless, the WD TV Live is a great upgrade to the WD TV. At an estimated $150, the new player costs just $20 more than the previous model. And like the previous model, you can expect the street price to be even lower than that.
If you like the WD TV, I'm pretty sure you will love the WD TV Live. So go get one now or check back soon for our in-depth review of the product.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Use Google Voice Voicemail Without Changing Numbers [Voicemail]
If the part of Google Voice that most appeals to you is transcribed, web-accessible voicemail, you don't need to transition to a new number. A single phone call and settings tweak can send all your unanswered calls to Google Voice.
It's not a new trick by any means, but conditional call forwarding isn't a trick that cell phone carriers go out of their way to explain to new customers. Put simply, there are codes you can punch into nearly any cell phone to make it forward calls that you don't pick up because you're busy, out of range or powered off, or simply not answering, to another number. Make that second number your Google Voice number and set Google Voice to "Do Not Disturb," and it'll pick up the call forward instantly, just like your primary voicemail.
T-Mobile and AT&T (known as "GSM carriers") follow a fairly standard forwading scheme outlined at Wikipedia's helpful call forwarding page, linked below. The Howard Forums site is a great resource for discovering other forwarding codes, including those for Verizon and Sprint. Take heed, however, as not all call forwarding is free. T-Mobile users get 500 minutes of forwarding free with most plans, for example, while Sprint users report forwarding fees of $0.10-$0.20 per minute, so it may not be worth the voicemail switch-over.
Got another helpful call forwarding trick you've used? Tell us about it in the comments. Thanks Alexander!
Call forwarding [Wikipedia]
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Latest Slider Ultra Mobile Notebook Concept
Today in this innovative world daily something new and unique concepts are showing. Now one more concept of innovative Slider ultra mobile computer is designed. Today’s all concept gadgets are having some unique features which is really nice and latest for users.
The Slider Ultra Mobile Computer has also some unique features such as its 9-inch touchscreen display and its full QWERTY keyboard that can exposed during flipping its screen. It offers 1.5GHz processor and 1GB RAM which provides you flawless mobile video streaming and VOIP video chatting. Its QWERTY keyboard allows its users to post blog entries easily and sending emails.
Now we talk about its difficulties, its motherboard and hard drive is located in its upper half which result a reliable crux that conveys data from screen. Its battery life is comparatively low than other due to its ultra compact shape, it offers 4-7 hours battery life. But overall this is a nice featured and unique designed Ultra Mobile Notebook which you catch your eye.
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