Youtube and Blu-Ray Going 3D on PS3
According to a presentation made by European Sony executive Mike Hawking, 3D Blu-ray support will be added to the PS 3 in a firmware upgrade in September, and support for 3D YouTube will come within the next 12 months.
He says the PS3 already has all the hardware it needs for 3D games and video because of its compatibility with the HDMI 1.4 connection.
Fujifilm HDs All Its Cameras in India
Fujifilm India Pvt. Ltd., the wholly owned subsidiary of Fujifilm Corporation, Japan, one of the world’s largest photographic solutions company, has announced that it has added high definition (HD) capability to all of its 14 digital camera models available in the Indian market. The company has thus set a new industry benchmark for its rivals which provide this advanced feature only in their high-end products.
Fujifilm has launched four new models of its ‘A series’ compacts (AV100, AV150, AX200 & AX250) featuring high definition (HD) image & video capture for the first time on entry-level cameras. These are easy-to-use, produce great results, and are ideal for people who are investing in their first digital camera.
Fujifilm has also launched four sleek models of its ‘J series’ family cameras (JV100, JV150, JX200 & JX250) that come with sculpted and sophisticated looks, and enable users to shoot images in HD. These cameras are loaded with advanced features like razor sharp Fujinon zoom lenses, Scene Recognition Auto, Panorama Shooting Mode, Movie Mode with Sound, Picture Search etc.
Besides these, Fujifilm has announced a new long-zoom compact camera – the FinePix JZ300 that encompasses style, substance and affordability. With a 10x optical zoom, 28mm wide-angle lens, advanced CCD-shift image stabilization system, HD image and movie capture, 2.7” LCD screen and a 12 mega pixel resolution, the JZ300 offers a ‘best in class’ feature set which will suit a wide range of consumers. For those who are avidly upload images on Facebook or share videos on YouTube etc., Fujifilm has a new delight in FinePix Z700 – a stylish social networker. Successor to the popular FinePix Z series of cameras, this fun and fashionable camera has an impressive feature set: 12 mega pixel resolution, a Fujinon 5x optical zoom, HD image recording and a new YouTube/Facebook easy web upload facility.
Not to forget the high performance 2010 digital camera line-up (Fujifilm FinePix S1800HD & S2500HD), HD capability has been added on to these as well. These 12 mega pixel cameras built around new 15x zoom and 18x zoom Fujinon lenses and Fujifilm’s proprietary image processing deliver remarkably high quality results all the way from wide angle through to telephoto.
Samsung Launches Next Generation Camera NX10 in India
Samsung today announced the launch of NX10 – its first foray into the mirror-less interchangeable lens camera segment. The Samsung NX10 has the heart of a DSLR embedded inside the compact frame of a digital camera, successfully integrating the APS-C size CMOS sensor with a mirrorless interchangeable lens, in a small, light and ergonomically designed body that ensure maximum portability for users. With the launch of its flagship, next generation NX10 camera model, Samsung is looking to establish itself as an innovator in Digital Still Camera market.
The NX10 incorporates a fast and decisive auto focus (AF), 14.6 MP APS-C size CMOS sensor and unique, large 3.0” AMOLED screen, allowing users to easily view their images, even in bright sunlight. The NX10 ensures users never miss a moment, as the new DRIMe II Pro engine and advanced AF algorithm, provide ultra fast AF speed with the higher precision of contrast AF. And consumers are not just limited to taking shots but can also tell their own stories in video format with HD movie recording (H.264 codec).
The 3.0” AMOLED screen facilitates by providing easier viewing in bright sunshine or at acute viewing angles, meaning users no longer need to shield their screen with their hand. The AMOLED screen also provides 30,000 times faster response rate than conventional LCDs, has lower power consumption and a higher contrast ratio – 100,000:1 vs. 500:1.
The NX10 also contains a range of intelligent features to put professional quality images within reach of the amateur photographer. The NX10 incorporates in-depth manual controls and a Smart Auto function which automatically detects the surrounding environment of the shot, selecting the right shoot mode and a Smart Range feature that enables the user to vividly express both bright areas and dark areas in the same frame. It even senses when the user brings the camera close to their face to look through the viewfinder, and puts the AMOLED screen on standby to conserve power. The NX10’s Supersonic Dust Reduction system keeps those dust particles clear of the image sensor that can often impair an image.
Slim and light at just over 350g, the NX10 is available in black with two variants.1st with an 18-55mm lens kit (Rs 42,990) & 2nd with 30mm Pan Cake lens (Rs. 44,990). With the addition of this new model, Samsung’s Digital Still Cameras range now comprises a total of 31 models priced between Rs. 6,990 to Rs. 44,990.
Sony Launches World Smallest 3D Digital Still Cameras Yet
Sony today unveiled two new Cyber-shot digital still cameras (models DSC-TX9 and DSC-WX5) that are currently the world’s smallest 3D cameras, capturing 3D images with a single lens system using a sweeping motion.
Both models offer a 3D Sweep Panorama feature, which lets you take panoramic pictures in one press-and-sweep motion. The high-speed burst of frames is stitched together using processing techniques to automatically create detail-packed 3D panoramas. These images can be viewed in 2D or 3D on compatible 3D televisions (3D-compatible HDMI cables and 3D glasses are also required and are sold separately.)
The DSC-TX9 has a 3.5-inch 921k resolution LCD touchscreen, and the DSC-WX5 has a 2.8-inch LCD screen. Unlike 3D Sweep Panorama mode, which lets you view your 3D images on compatible 3D television systems, Sweep Multi Angle lets you view images moving in simulated 3D right on the cameras’ LCD screen by tilting the camera back and forth. This new shooting feature captures 15 images at different angles and then compiles them into one photo, creating a 3D-like effect on the display.
In addition to Sweep Multi Angle, the 12.2 megapixel TX9 and WX5 models offer features including Background Defocus, which simulates depth of field control and Superior Auto mode, which provides low image-noise levels.
With the AVCHD format, used in Sony’s high-definition Handycam camcorders, the models can record movies in 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolutions in 60i at up to 17Mbps. They can also capture videos in the MP4 format (up to 1440 x1080 30p 12Mbps) for online sharing.
In addition to its AVCHD video capability, the TX9 and WX5 cameras have Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, helping overcome camera shake.
With a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 4x zoom lens, the compact TX9 camera lets you focus from 0.4 inches from your subject. The 4x (25-100mm) wide-angle lens helps in capturing a wider view of your subject at closer distances.
The WX5 camera is an option for DSLR owners who also want to carry a compact, high-performance point-and-shoot camera. With a Sony G lens (5x 24-120mm), the WX5 camera can capture a wide range for its compact size and features a wide aperture (F2.4), enhancing low-light performance.
Microsoft Dubs iPhone 4 as Apple Windows Vista
No doubt busy with Windows Phone 7, its new mobile OS set for launch at the end of the year, Microsoft has kept pretty quiet about iPhone 4. However, it seems one Microsoft executive couldn’t resist making just one smug remark about Apple’s latest iPhone.
Speaking at the company’s Worldwide Partner Conference, COO Kevin Turner compared the iPhone 4 to the not-so-popular Windows Vista and told audience members not to worry about iPhone 4-esque issues happening with Windows Phone 7.
“One of the things I want to make sure you know today is that you’re going to be able to use a Windows Phone 7 and not have to worry about how you’re holding it to make a phone call,” he is quoted as saying. He later added, “It looks like the iPhone 4 might be their Vista, and I’m okay with that.”
Turner seemed confident that Windows Phone 7 could take on the iPhone and do some damage to its position in the smartphone market.