Panasonic has just announced a new DVR that incorporates both a Blu-Ray burner (makes sense) as well as a VHS deck (huh?) allowing you to off-load recordings to either medium. I actually ditched my VCR a few years ago to make space in my entertainment center, but I have to admit there’s still a small collection of MST3K episodes I recorded on VHS that I’d love to back up one day. In terms of other features the DMR-BR360V doesn’t disappoint with digital and analog TV tuners, second generation MPEG-4 AVC H.264 encoder chips, analog and HDMI connections, a 320GB hard drive, USB port, an SD card slot and even ethernet that will support an upcoming video download service. (Japan only I assume.) All that for the low, low price of about $1,456.
Christie, the company who makes those giant digital projectors that are probably in use at your local theater, has just announced a new system called Christie Advanced Color™ that should make color matching an array of projectors extremely easy for anyone who can push a button. The system uses a precision handheld light meter that is pointed at various targets on the projected array. The light output measurements are then used by the Christie Advanced Color software to calibrate all the projectors to a high level of uniformity.
While it might seem like an easy way to color calibrate your home theater display, the system is primarily designed for setups that rely on multiple Christie projectors at once. Since the projectors work together to produce a single image, any differences between them will result in visible seams that take away from the effect. Apparently using the software and the light meter requires no technical expertise, but if you do happen to have an expert on staff they can still make manual changes and tweaks to the calibration as they see fit.
I’ve been passively looking for a cheap digital video camera for posting the occasional YouTube video. The JVC Everio S Series I wrote about yesterday is tempting, but I think it’s a bit too large to carry around on a daily basis, and I’d prefer something a bit cheaper. The Flip camcorders have also been near the top of my list, but they might have just been replaced with the latest Vivitar model that has finally popped up on Target’s website. The DVR565HD is capable of recording 30fps 720P “HD” videos in MPEG4 or H.264 directly to an SD card. (Up to 4GB cards are supported.) It’s also apparently able to play 1080i videos and can connect directly to an HDTV with an included HDMI cable. Not too shabby.
Even though it won’t be available for a few more weeks, Target currently has it listed on their site for just $129.99, which makes it all the more tempting.
For YouTube junkies who feel the need to post every last piece of footage they shoot comes the new Everio S series from JVC which includes a one-touch button for uploading their shaky exploits to the popular video sharing site. The camcorders look similar to the JVC Everio G series, but are considerably lighter since they record video directly to SD cards instead of a built-in hard drive. But it’s the YouTube features that are sure to interest most potential buyers. Here’s how it works:
Once the provided CyberLink software is installed on a Windows® PC, uploading video clips to YouTube™ is quick and easy. The camcorder has an UPLOAD button that works in two ways. In the camera mode, press UPLOAD and then the trigger, and this limits recordings to 10 minutes in length, which matches the YouTube™ file size limit. This eliminates the need to manually time recordings or go back to edit and shorten footage. After recording is done, connect the GZ-MS100 to a PC via a USB cable and press the UPLOAD button. This automatically launches the supplied application for uploading to YouTube™. After just a few mouse clicks the video will be up on the Internet for everybody to see. The original video quality is maintained in the camera, so it can be used for any other purpose.
The camera also features JVC’s ‘Laser Touch Operation’ which is a touch sensitive scroll bar and buttons allowing the user to navigate the on-screen menus without having to touch and leave fingerprints on the LCD display. The included rechargeable battery is rated for about 2 hours and 5 minutes of operation, but you can replace it with higher capacity 4 and 6 hour models as needed. The GZ-MS100 camcorder should be available in June for $349.99.
When I went to CTIA last month I noticed something cool at most of the monorail stops. There were large mats close to where you would board, and on the mats you could see fish swimming around. If you stepped on it, you would see water rippling and the fish would scatter accordingly. There wasn’t anything around to identify the mat, and it was too bright out to get a good picture, so didn’t think about it anymore once I had left. Then I saw something about an exhibit at the Science Museum in London which looked very familiar.
I can only imagine that what I saw in Vegas was done by the same company. The Living Image, as it’s called, uses a 6,500 lumens overhead projector and a slew of sensors to create the images on a mat. Multiple people can interact with it just by walking around on the mat. I thought it was cool, and it certainly made the wait for the Monorail go by quicker.
Ever wonder what it would feel like to be in the driver’s seat of an RC car as it races around your house? While you can already buy remote control vehicles that feature a built-in video camera, I like the fact that this standalone wireless camera is small enough to use with even the miniature Bit-char G RC cars that were so popular a few years back. The camera unit features a 2.7 megapixel color CMOS sensor and a rechargeable battery that’s good for about 45 minutes. Given it’s just under an inch and a half on its longest side, that’s pretty impressive. It’s able to transmit the 1.2GHz video signal about 98 feet to the included Morse type s receiver, which can then be connected to a television set with a composite video cable.
The mini video camera also features a waterproof case allowing it to be attached to an RC submarine or boat without the fear of H20 ruining your fun, and you can get it from the Japan Trend Shop for $269.
SANYO today announced a couple of new projectors in their ‘T’ Series line designed for the education and business presentation markets. The PLC-ET30L features a 1400 x 1050 resolution with 10-bit gamma correction which is the perfect way to make PowerPoint’s default blue gradient background really pop. It also has 4200 lumens allowing it to project a bright image even in an environment where the lights can’t be turned off. SANYO also announced the PLC-XT21/L projector which is a value priced version of the ET30L with a reduced resolution of 1024×768.
Both projectors feature a whisper quiet fan that produces just 35 dBA of noise, and something called the One-Way Flow System which uses a single intake and exhaust vent with easily accessible dust filters. They also come with SANYO’s PJ Network Interface which allows you to monitor the projector and adjust any settings from a web browser. While it requires you to buy the optional POA-PN03C networking module for this functionality, it’s a great solution if the projector ends up mounted on a high ceiling. With a lens the PLC-ET30L will set you back $6,495 while the PLC-XT21/L is a bit cheaper at $4,495.
While video projectors have come down in price and size over the years, it seems there’s still a trade-off between image quality and resolution vs. portability. So while the specs on this micro projector are kind of vague, I think you can safely assume you’re not going to end up with an experience like you’d get at a digitally equipped movie theater. On the back of the projector is an SD card slot, and from what I can tell it can play a variety of digital video formats, as well as MP3s and even photos. But it also includes composite audio and video connections for connecting a DVD player or gaming console.
It’s powered by a set of 4 AA batteries which give it a maximum projection of about 40 inches x 33 inches. Not particularly impressive for a home theater, and I can’t imagine the battery life is that great either. It’s available from DrinkStuff.com for about $197, so we’ll just file this under ‘you get what you pay for.’
This animated short from Pixar, entitled Lifted, was shown in theaters just before Ratatouille. If you missed out, it’s worth watching, and if you’ve seen it already, I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s worth watching again. Enjoy.
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By Andrew Liszewski
