Digital Video
Wireless HDMI solution from Gefen
Image Gallery (4 images)
Cords and wires are the bane of any technophile’s existence. They are a pain to set up and inevitably form an unruly tangle that's just plain messy. The introduction of HDMI went a long way to reducing the unsightly clutter running from behind the lounge room AV set up by combining high definition sound and video in one convenient cable. But now connectivity solutions company Gefen has gone one step further with their Wireless for HDMI Extender, which comprises a local sender unit which is paired to a receiver unit at a remote location. Read More
A (digital) picture tells a thousand words
Image Gallery (4 images)
Researchers from the aceMedia project in Europe are now working on ways to generate searchable images that could see digital files come with content information, metadata and an intelligence layer that automatically generates word-searchable data about the image. Read More
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR shoots full HD video
Image Gallery (4 images)
Only a few short weeks ago we heralded Nikon's HD video ready D90 as a landmark "first of many all-in-one imaging devices" that pack the combination of processing technology and quality lenses necessary for capturing BOTH still images and video of the highest standards... and we haven't needed to wait long for the next mouth-watering installment. Canon's EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera not only features a full frame (24 x 36mm), 21.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, low noise, extended sensitivity range, improved performance in tricky light conditions, two different file size options for shooting in RAW format and a host of other impressive specs, it also captures HD video at an unprecedented 1920 x 1080 resolution at 30 fps. Read More
Philips unveil CinemaOne home theater system
Image Gallery (6 images)
Philips' new all-in-one DVD Home Theater System packs a range of home entertainment features into a distinctive, compact design. The CinemaOne includes an integrated universal iPod dock, built-in subwoofer and DVD player with HDMI 1080p upscaling in a unit that resembles a compacted, upturned trash can – only a lot more stylish. Read More
One-step VHS to digital conversion for your old movies
Image Gallery (6 images)
Many of us remember the years when men were men, movies came on thick black VHS cassettes, and a well-dressed gent would wear an onion on his belt, as was the style of the time. Of course, these days we expect our media to be much more flexible, and with this in mind ION have released the VHS 2 PC - a VHS player with a simple USB output cable that lets you digitize all your old VHS content in one step and watch it online, on a DVD or a portable video player. Read More
Hitachi announces updated Blu-ray Disc Hybrid Camcorder
Image Gallery (6 images)
Hitachi's new has Blu-ray Disc Hybrid Camcorder can record onto either Blu-ray Disc, Hard Drive or SDHC format and promises a number of notable improvements from its predecessor such as a seven megapixel CMOS image sensor, face detection, image stabilization and longer recording time. Read More
High-resolution, high-end projector system from Meridian
Image Gallery (2 images)
Comprising the 810 Reference Video Projector and the 810 Reference Video Scaler, the new US$185,000 flagship front projection system from Meridian is capable of a resolution of 4096 x 2400 or 9.8 megapixels, boasts a a native contrast ratio of 10,000:1 and is designed to optimize both High and Standard Definition inputs. Read More
LG announce BD30 Network Blu-ray player with Netflix streaming capability
Image Gallery (2 images)
August 4, 2008 In January, prior to the 2008 International CES, LG Electronics and Netflix announced their intention to team up and provide a set-top box for streaming movies and TV episodes from the Internet to the TV beginning in the second half of the year. Now, true to their word they’ve announced the LG BD30 - the first Blu-ray disc player that can stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix’s library of more than 12,000 choices directly to your TV. It also plays Blu-ray discs and up-converts standard DVDs to 1080p. Read More
Six-month anti-piracy strategy delays Dark Knight piracy for just 38 hours
Image Gallery (2 images)
July 29, 2008 Warner Bros. devoted six months to an unprecedented anti-piracy strategy for the release of "The Dark Knight", and have deemed the 38 hour period between the film's premiere screening and its first appearance on file-sharing sites to be a success - keeping bootleg DVDs off the streets as the film racked up a record-breaking US$158.4 million on its all important opening weekend. Read More
QingBar MP101 projector turns an iPhone into a portable cinema – sort of
Image Gallery (2 images)
July 22, 2008 For those that find the touch screen on their iPod Touch or new 3G iPhone too small, Honlai Technology have introduced their QingBar MP101 iPhone projector. The portable unit that measures 102mm wide x 76mm long x 54mm high can throw images from 15 to 27-inches onto a wall or screen in a 4:3 aspect ratio at 640 x 480 (VGA) pixel resolution. Read More
Kodak’s Theatre HD Player with gyroscopic remote
Image Gallery (3 images)
Kodak’s new Theatre HD Player is a Wi-Fi-enabled set top box that connects to your HDTV. Kodak describes the unit as, "An interactive device displaying personal content - pictures, video, podcasts, music - and Web-based content on a HDTV, while wirelessly connecting to a household's private Wi-Fi network.” The Wi-Fi connection allows the unit to connect to websites such as Kodak Gallery and Flickr for photos, YouTube for video content, and RadioTime for streaming audio. Jumping on the Wii bandwagon the Theatre HD Player also includes a gyroscopic remote, which allows users to navigate the on screen menus with a wave of the hand. Read More
Sony’s DVDirect DVD Recorder
Image Gallery (3 images)
The Sony VRDMC3 DVDirect DVD Recorder does just what its name suggests – it records to DVDs directly from other sources, and it does so without the need for a PC. The VRDMC3 can record from just about any source such as camcorders, DVDs or VCRs, thanks to the provided USB, Firewire, S-Video and composite inputs. In addition to video, still images can be copied directly from memory card to DVD as a slideshow or for photo storage by using the built-in 5-in-1 card reader. PictBridge compatibility allows the unit to interface directly with a printer and images can be previewed using the 2.5-inch colour LCD that sits on top of the unit. Once selections have been made they can be copied to disc using the large "record" located just below the screen. Read More
LG Digital Photo Frame and DVD Player
Image Gallery (2 images)
LG Electronics has unveiled a new media device coupling a digital photo frame with portable DVD capabilities. The Digital Photo Frame and DVD Player (DP392G) is a single unit image and video display aimed at those seeking an easy way of loading their photos onto a digital photo display. Read More
Low-cost Small Wonder EZ200 digital camcorder
Image Gallery (2 images)
Retailing for less than US$90, the Small Wonder EZ200 from RCA in Japan is a low-cost option for digital video capture. With a flip-out LCD and an expansion slot for additional memory, the EZ200 is an attractive option for those wanting to shoot web-quality content without spending a fortune. Read More
Firebox VHS to digital video converter
Image Gallery (2 images)
When a new technology usurps a previous one there are often casualties. With the downfall of VHS the casualties were the stacks and stacks of VHS cassettes people had collected over the 30 year period when VHS ruled the Earth. Of course there’s no need to say goodbye to those precious magnetic memories with a range of digital converting options available - but possibly none as easy as that provided by the imaginatively titled USB VHS Converter. Just connect the machine to a PC, pop a tape in the machine, select your desired output format and press play. Read More
Panasonic launches new Blu-ray/DVD range
Image Gallery (2 images)
The DMR-BW500i can record up to 72 hours of Full High Definition 1080p recording onto the built in 500GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or 6 hours 40 min on a 50GB double layer Blu-ray Disc. In addition to video, it can record 5.1-channel Dolby Digital surround sound broadcasts and Blu-ray movies are played in studio-master quality at a frame rate of 24 frames per second. Read More
Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro webcam for Mac
Image Gallery (5 images)
June 25, 2008 Logitech's latest webcam offering is its first Mac-compatible model to feature autofocus technology and Carl Zeiss optics. Read More
NVIDIA unleash GeForce GTX 200 GPUs
Image Gallery (2 images)
NVIDIA’s new family of GeForce GTX 200 graphics processors (GPUs) - which includes the GeForce GTX 280 and GeForce GTX 260 GPUs - include NVIDIA CUDA technology and the new CUDA runtime for Windows Vista, which allows programmers to offload the most intensive processing tasks from the CPU to the NVIDIA GPUs. The GPUs also deliver 50% more gaming performance over the Company’s previous NVIDIA GeForce 8800 Ultra GPU with impressive shading horsepower at resolutions as high as 2560 x 1600. Read More
Wingscapes BirdCam keeps an eye on wildlife
Image Gallery (2 images)
Backyard birdwatchers will love this wildlife spy-cam from Wingscapes. The motion-activated BirdCam is designed to capture video and digital photos of birds and small animals while you’re not around to see them. Read More
Pioneer releases BonusView Blu-Ray Disc Player and Elite A/V receiver
Image Gallery (2 images)
May 8, 2008 Pioneer has announced the Elite BDP-05FD and Pioneer BDP-51FD Blu-Ray Disc players and Elite SC-07, SC-05, VSX-03TXH and VSX-01TXH A/V receivers designed to give users that true theater experience in their own homes. The Elite BDP-05FD and Pioneer BDP-51FD BonusView Blu-ray Disc players support next generation high resolution audio and video formats, feature picture-in-picture interactivity and a redesigned platform. The new players work in tandem with Pioneer’s KURO displays and new Elite A/V receivers. Read More
Television 2.0 offering from Sezmi promises personalized, on-demand viewing
Image Gallery (2 images)
May 2, 2008 The way people watch, and indeed interact with their televisions is undergoing a fundamental shift - a shift from mass entertainment to a personalized, targeted, interactive entertainment (and advertising) platform. Sezmi Corporation (formerly known as Building B, Inc.) has seen the writing on the wall and is hoping to be a major player in what has been dubbed Television 2.0. The company has announced that it is commencing trials in pilot markets in preparation for commercial launch with broadband service providers and national retailers later this year. Read More
New low cost HD camcorder from DXG USA
Image Gallery (4 images)
April 29, 2008 Joining DXG USA’s previously reviewed DXG-566V low cost HD camcorder is the new, almost equally low priced DXG-569V HD. Like its stable mate the DXG-569V HD sports a 5 Megapixel CMOS sensor with still images interpolated up to 8 Megapixel resolution, records HD video up to 1280 x 720 in H.264, MOV file format at 30fps but changes the form factor to an slim, vertical design. In addition, the DXG-569V HD also features a digital voice recorder and it can also can be used as a mass storage device by connecting it to a PC via USB2.0 to copy and back-up files from the computer to the camcorder’s SD Card. Read More
New high performance laptop line from 1 Beyond
Image Gallery (3 images)
April 22, 2008 Digital video editing and compositing systems provider 1 Beyond has introduced the industry’s first laptop featuring Intel quad-core desktop processors with RAID 5 protection, optimized for HD video and graphics production, as well as two new rugged laptops designed to meet the extreme demands of in-field military personnel, public safety personnel and traveling professionals. Read More
Meridian releases MF10 High-Def Projector
Image Gallery (2 images)
March 17 , 2008 High-end projector specialists Meridian has released its latest high-definition video projector, the MF10, which offers extraordinary black reproduction capability, with 30,000:1 native contrast ratio achieved without the use of a dynamic iris, thus ensuring true black reproduction without loss of brightness. Read More
Asterbot automated in-video tagging set for launch
Image Gallery (2 images)
March 14, 2008 Asterpix has released new technology that automatically tags any internet video with interactive hotspots allowing users to see notes, links to more information and other videos on related topics. The new system build on the company's web-based service that enabled users to create interactive videos - with Asterbot, the work is done for you. Read More
Sansa Fuze rounds out SanDisk’s media player product line
Image Gallery (2 images)
March 13, 2008 SanDisk has unveiled the Flash-based Sansa Fuze MP3 player, a well specced entry level unit which joins the pint-sized Sansa Clip and the video-centric Sansa View in Sandisk's media player line. Read More
Sony’s TP2 - the living room PC
Image Gallery (3 images)
March 6, 2008 The Sony VAIO is a fully functioning PC that integrates HDMI connectivity, a bundled HD TV tuner and Blu-ray playback capability to turn a HD TV into a high definition PC monitor and form the hub of digital entertainment in the home. Read More
Panasonic to release 32GB SDHC Memory Card
Image Gallery (3 images)
February 13, 2008 The options for consumers looking to boost storage capacity for their increasingly sophisticated Camcorders just keep getting better. In the latest development, Panasonic has announced it will release a 32 Gigabyte SD High Capacity (SDHC) Memory Card with Class 6 speed specification in April 2008. Read More
JVC unveils new Everio hard disk camcorder line for 2008
Image Gallery (3 images)
January 21, 2008 JVC’s new G series of Everio hard disk camcorders announced at CES 2008 offer new functions that make operation simpler and more intuitive and feature a new, super-slim design that’s some 20 percent smaller than last year’s entry-level model. The new, colorful five-model Everio G lineup for 2008 consists of four 680K-pixel models and one 7 Megapixel model. The four 680K-pixel camcorders include two 30GB models and two 60GB models, while the lone 7 Megapixel model comes with 30GB of recording space. All models feature a new Laser Touch Operation user interface – moving a finger up or down a touch-sensitive illuminated scroll bar just to the left of the LCD monitor screen allows users to browse through and select video clips to view or edit, and operate menus for camera set-up. The 2.7-inch widescreen LCD’s high-resolution GUI is linked to Laser Touch movements, but the feature eliminates the risk of smudging or damaging the screen that users face with a touch-screen interface. Read More
SanDisk launches high-definition video card line for digital camcorders
Image Gallery (2 images)
January 14, 2008 SanDisk were busy at CES 2008 and among the announcements was the release of a line of Flash memory based high performance video cards for use in digital camcorders. The SanDisk Video HD cards will be available in SDHC (high capacity) and Memory Stick PRO Duo formats, and will be identified not only by capacity, but also by minutes of recording time. Designed to overcome the problems consumers face in estimating just how much recording time is available from various resolution settings, the SanDisk Video HD card packaging offers a chart that shows the approximate number of minutes for HD High, HD Standard and HD Extended settings. Read More
Slingbox PRO-HD streams HD content around the home and over the Internet
Image Gallery (2 images)
January 11, 2008 People who can’t bear to leave the lounge room because it means leaving their HD entertainment behind can now venture forth thanks to Sling Media, Inc., which has announced the next generation Slingbox PRO-HD. The unit is capable of streaming HD content from a home television source, including over the air HD digital signals, HDTV cable or satellite receivers, or HD DVR’s, to a laptop or desktop computer in and around the house. When paired with Sling Media’s new SlingCatcher - a set-top box that delivers broadcast TV, Internet-based content and personal media to the TV - the Slingbox PRO-HD will also transmit the HD signal to another TV in the house. Read More
Motorola's new Z10 features on-board video editing
Image Gallery (4 images)
January 10, 2008 Billed as the complete, pocket-sized, mobile film studio, the new Motorola Z10 3G mobile handset is designed for video capture and editing on the fly, shooting at 30 frames per second via a 3.2 megapixel camera and featuring the in-built ability to splice together scenes and add commentary, titles or soundtracks. Read More
Canon's new dual-Flash HD camcorder
Image Gallery (3 images)
January 9, 2008 Canon has announced its VIXIA line of consumer HD camcorders at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Headlining the act is the HF10 Dual Flash Memory camcorder, which eliminates the need for DV tape by allowing users to record up to six hours of HD video to a 16 GB internal Flash drive, plus a further 2-4 GB on removable SDHC memory cards. In addition to the HF10, the VIXIA line will include the HF100 Flash Memory camcorder, the HV30 HD camcorder and the previously released HG10 AVCHD Hard Disk Drive camcorder and HR10 AVCHD DVD camcorder. All camcorders in the VIXIA line feature a HD CMOS Image Sensor for Full HD (1920 x 1080) image capture, a DIGIC DV II Image Processor, instant AutoFocus and SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization, which corrects a wide range of camcorder vibration for virtually shake-free images. Read More
DXG USA announces $149.99 HD camcorder
Image Gallery (2 images)
January 6, 2008 It’s a general rule with technology that as time goes on, features increase and size and price decrease, and so it is with the announcement from DXG USA that they will debut their DXG-566V HD camcorder with a retail price of USD$149.99 at CES. The DXG-566V HD is a 5 megapixel digital camcorder that records video in H.264, MOV file format with an HD video resolution of up to 1280 x 720 at 30fps and D1 resolution of 720 x 480 at 30fps. It features a 5 megapixel CMOS sensor, 3-inch TFT LCD screen, 2X digital zoom and support for high capacity SD cards to increase recording time once the unit’s 32MB onboard memory is full. Read More
PS3 gets DivX/XviD playback - we put it to the test
Image Gallery (2 images)
The PlayStation 3 firmware update 2.10 arrived yesterday, adding Blu-ray Disc Profile 1.1 support, and more importantly, XviD and DivX playback. We recently brought you the low down on XviD/DivX playback on the Xbox 360, and now we've spent another strenuous morning watching videos - here's our report on Sony's implementation.
