Digital Technology News, Camera, Camcorder and Cool Gadget Reviews

If you’re looking for the ultimate TV, make sure you don’t overlook the 42in PLASMA TX-P42G20B TV (1,920×1080 native resolution) with 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio.

It’s a stunning choice for free HD broadcasts as it has both Freeview HD and Freesat HD tuners. Also features 4x HDMI, 2x SCART, VGA, component and composite inputs. You can even connect a USB hard disk and turn it into a limited PVR.

At last year’s NAB, JVC officially entered the solid-state market. This year the company will showcase its compact, handheld GY HM100U camcorder, which joins the company’s full HD recording (selectable 1920×1080 or 1280x720p) camcorders with data rates up to 35Mb/s in native .

The HM100U camcorder records to dual SDHC memory cards, and sports three 1⁄4″ CCDs and an integrated 10x Fujinon lens with optical stabilization. JVC plans to demo several new monitor entries, including its Vérité “G” Series of professional LCD monitors. They feature 3G and Dual Llink HD/SD SDI inputs. Read the rest of this entry »

AJA made a huge splash at the show last year with Ki Pro. New software is out that adds Apple ProRes 422 (LT) and ProRes 422 (Proxy), along with variable frame rate support.

The rugged tapeless video recording device interfaces with virtually any type of camera and records high-quality Apple ProRes 422 QuickTime files onto computer-friendly media via SD/HD-SDI, HDMI and analog inputs. Read the rest of this entry »

Canon launched 2 new models of the digital video cameras which  are the first models of camcorders to use the new MPEG-2 Full HD (4:2:2) recording codec. Both XF300  and XF305 digital camcorders are quipped with a Canon L-series HD Video Lens combining a 29.3mm equivalent wide angle with fast maximum aperture (f/1.6) and 18x zoom, 3CMOS sensor system and a DIGIC DV III processing engine.

Both models feature a 4” LCD screen with a resolution of 1.23 million dots, a 1.55-million-dot EVF with 100% coverage and the video can be captured via three 1/3 type 2.07 Megapixel Full HD CMOS sensors at 1920 x 1080 resolution.

Audio can be captured either via twin XLR inputs or with the front-mounted stereo microphone.

26 Custom Picture options can be adjusted to achieve the perfect look and can be stored in-camera – via SD card.

The XF300 will be available in late June with an MSRP of $6799 and the XF350 is excepted to be available at  $7999.

Shuttle has announced its latest SFF PC called the XS35 that will be seen at CeBIT next month.

The tiny SFF PC is only 3.3cm thick and is HD compatible. This may well be the best SFF PC Shuttle has for use as an HTPC machine in the living room. The chassis used for the XS35 is 1-liter class and has a standard VESA mount interface. That interface means you can mount the PC to the rear of a TV or LCD display.

The machine is complete, runs the Intel Atom D510 processor at 1.6GHz, and uses the NM10 Express Chipset. Graphics are handled by the NVIDIA GT218, otherwise known as the ION 2 platform. The machine has HDMI out, five USB ports, VGA out, LAN port, memory card reader, 2.5″ HDD, and an optical drive.

Panasonic have outed three new digital cameras, including the rugged LUMIX DMC-TS2, the super-zooming LUMIX DMC-ZS7, and the AVCHD Lite HD-friendly LUMIX DMC-ZR3.  Of the three, the TS2 is the most visually striking thanks to its waterproof/shockproof/freezeproof casing; still, it also has a 14.1-megapixel sensor, 4.6x optical zoom and AVCHD Lite HD video recording.

It’s capable of submersion in up to 10m of water, withstanding 2m drops and -10 degree centigrade temperatures, as well as boasting dust resistance.  The 2.7-inch LCD display gets a 1.3x thicker cover than the last-gen TS1. Read the rest of this entry »

Casio has outed its latest 14.1 megapixel digital camera in the form of the EX-Z2000 from its Exilim series, packing in a wide-angle 26 mm 5X optical zoom and a 3.0′ Super Clear LCD display into a relatively compact, thin body. You get CCD-shift image stabilization and HD Movie capability with the EX-Z2000, where it boasts an interesting and fresh form finished in natural curves which are guaranteed to capture the attention of your eyes (as well as throw some envious looks your way by newbies). The newly developed EXILIM Engine 5.0 is included in the EX-Z2000, allowing it to process images up to 30% faster without compromising on image quality thanks to advanced color reproduction and rich tonal gradation that results from noise removal from photos in high sensitivity mode.

You can expect a deluge of product announcements from companies come CES, and it is no different with Casio as they just unveiled the Exilim EX-Z550 digital camera which looks and sounds like a pretty decent entry-level digital camera. After all, you definitely can’t argue with 14.1 effective megapixels (that seems to be the standard these days) with a wide-angle 26 mm 4X optical zoom lens, a clear 2.7′ LCD display, CCD-shift image stabilization and HD Movie function. It will also feature the new EXILIM Engine 5.0 that speeds up image processing speed by up to 30% compared to its previous iteration, helping remove noise from photos in high sensitivity mode that results in great looking images.

Vivitek launches the H9080FD, a Full HD 1080p LED home cinema projector. The new device uses LED light source, which provides over 20,000 hours of operation. It features 1920×1080p resolution, 100,000:1 contrast ratio, 800 lumens brightness and 1.85 to 2.4:1 throw ratio.

The Vivitek H9080FD utilizes the Gennum 9450 video processor and comes with built-in 1.3x zoom with manual lens shift. The projector has two HDMI 1.3, component, VGA, S-video, composite video inputs as well as RS-232c and two 12V Triggers.

BenQ today took the wraps from its first 27-inch computer display. Considered a crossover display, the M2700HD has the usual computer inputs but also has twin HDMI 1.3 connectors plus component and RCA to take in traditional TV sources, such as cable boxes or game consoles. A native 1080p resolution, a 10W stereo speaker system and a remote further stress the hybrid nature of the LCD.

The panel produces a 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and a 400cd/m2 brightness level. BenQ claims at least some visual accuracy with a dedicated sRGB option among the color presets for those looking to recreate a particular color range. SPDIF audio lets it work with surround sound devices, including its own speakers’ virtual surround.

Pricing isn’t available, but BenQ vows a “worldwide” release for the M2700HD this week.