May 31st, 2007
Reuters reports that cities in the U.S. are increasingly turning to high-tech tools to go after those spreading graffiti across town, although the systems being used aren’t exactly as complex as you might think. One such system, from Los Angeles-based Graffiti Tracker, simply employs a digital camera with a built-in GPS tagging feature, which is used to snap a picture of and record the location of a piece of graffiti before it gets painted over. The graffiti then get analyzed and added to a database, which police can use to track those creating it and use as evidence in cases against them. While that simplicity has apparently proven to be effective so far, we can’t help but think that the cities would benefit even further by putting some graffiti-patrolling
policebots on the street to catch ‘em in the act — but we’re sure that’s only a matter of time.
[Photo courtesy of Reuters]
posted in Headlines News |
May 31st, 2007
For the Nikon lovers, the company has been brainstorming some new ideas lately. The Nikon Cool Pix 360 is the most happening thing in the photography world.
Do you recall the last time when the camera angle needed to be changed physically,…
For the Nikon lovers, the company has been brainstorming some new ideas lately. The Nikon Cool Pix 360 is the most happening thing in the photography world.
Do you recall the last time when the camera angle needed to be changed physically, and you would have to adjust yourself to weird uncomfortable positions along with your digital SLR to take good pictures? With this new model, it’s time to say goodbye to those days, and get your full 360 degrees of freedom back.
According to Nikon, the Cool pix 360 has put a lot more importance on the user interface. I think this is extremely important since, cameras are very end user related products. If the camera is not user friendly it simply won’t sell.
The camera designer Yu Chen, agrees that this is a camera for all around pictures. The camera doesn’t require the user to turn around. The unique design of the camera along with the built in inclinometer adjusts the head of the camera.
However, the camera doesn’t come with it’s own tripod. The disappointing news along with this is that Nikon is not sure when the camera will go into production. After taking a look at all the different pictures online, I think this camera might be a little hard for people to get used to the unique tripod like camera design. At the same time, the Nikon’s features will most definitely help the users take cool pictures of panoramic vistas.
posted in Headlines News |
May 31st, 2007
If having a digital camcorder is beyond your reach, here is a solution for you from AIPTEK that has of late come up with the release of their low-cost GO-HD, an HD camcorder, which is claimed to fit in the palm of your hand. AIPTEK’s HD camcorder…
If having a digital camcorder is beyond your reach, here is a solution for you from AIPTEK that has of late come up with the release of their low-cost GO-HD, an HD camcorder, which is claimed to fit in the palm of your hand. AIPTEK’s HD camcorder boasts resolutions of 720P (1280×720 pixel resolution/16:9 aspect ratio) at 30 frames per second. The GO-HD makes use of H.264 codec technology, which lets users record about four hours of HD video clips on an 8GB High Capacity SD. The GO-HD provides HCSD card expansion, too. GO-HD measures about 4.5″ x 2.75″ x 1.25″ and weighs almost 7.5 ounces.
Additional characteristics consist of a 3x Optical Zoom with Auto-Focus, one-touch recording, a 270-degree swivel-reversible 2.4″ TFT color LCD display, and AIPTEK’s Night Shot feature, which augments image quality in dark or low light settings-almost four feet-by making use of integrated LED lights. The GO-HD comes with an integrated charger also, thus it is able to be recharged using USB while hooked onto a computer or by connecting the AC charger cable built-in. The GO-HD is also said to work like a digital camera with a 5-megapixel CMOS sensor, a two-inch macro zoom and auto-focus.
GO-HD is also capable of hooking up to any HDTV & HD monitor, standard TV, or PC (users could do with loading the software given for computer or get QuickTime 7.0 or higher for Mac. The cables to hook up the GO-HD are all incorporated. AIPTEK throws all of these sports in the GO-HD for only under $300.
Read
posted in Headlines News |
May 30th, 2007
Aiptek’s
cameras may not always be known for their quality, but they do usually manage to at least keep things fairly inexpensive, a trait that continues with the company’s new “GO-HD” camcorder. As you’ve no doubt surmised, the camera will let you capture HD video (720p, specifically), with the H.264 codec used to keep file sizes down. According to Aiptek, that should work out to about 4 hours of video on an 8GB SDHC card (not included). It’ll also apparently let you take 5 megapixel still images, with a 3x optical zoom, and a 2.4-inch LCD at your disposal. Of course, those specs may not necessarily translate to the best of results, but if you want to try your luck, it looks like you can grab one now from your choice of retailers for $280.
posted in Headlines News |
May 29th, 2007
If you’re thinking of picking up one Sony’s new AVCHDhigh-definition camcorders then you’ll want to give the VRD-MC5 accessory a peep. The burner features PC-less, one-touch HD-quality dubbing when connected to over USB to your new HDR-SR5, HDR-SR7,HDR-SR8, and HDR-CX7 Handycam. The unit packs a 2.5-inch LCD, Firewire and S-Video inputs, and plenty of memory slots including SDHC/SD, xD, and compact flash in addition to Sony’s proprietary formats. It’ll even write to those wee 8cm DVDs just like Sony’s DVD camcorders. Sorry, no Blu-ray Discs here, and it won’t run from battery. Available August 10th for an estimated ¥30,000 or about $247.
[Via Impress]
posted in Headlines News |
