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Posts tagged Apple
Pocket-sized pleasures? Panasonic’s new HM-TA1 HD Mobile Camera
Jul 28th
As regular SimplyDV followers will know, we’re a bit undecided about the real value of pocket-sized video cameras – especially the ones that purport to produce HD video clips. However, Panasonic’s new range of HM-TA1 HD video cameras might just bring about a change of attitude.
These little pocket-sized cameras have all the convenience and physical characteristics of a regular digital stills camera or even mobile phone, yet they offer true HD video of a sort that looks good either on YouTube or even on a modest-sized HDTV display.
Panasonic HM-TA1 full-HD pocket video cameras
Stiff competition
Of course, any new entrants into this market have the Flip MinoHD (arguably the market-leader in this sector) to compare with. Not fazed by this at all, several brands have launched their own such products into this market space with varying degrees of success. And, after watching from the sidelines for some time, Panasonic has now joined the party as well.
With pocket-size dimensions and a lightweight design, the HM-TA1 HD mobile pocket camera is (according to Panasonic) designed “to let you capture life on the move”. Indeed, the camera is certainly small enough to pop into a pocket or small bag and offers not only instant full-HD video recording but also high-quality photo shooting wherever you are or whatever you’re doing. Basically, it’s for people who want to grab a piece of the action right now with no messing.
Features
The TA1 has been fitted with a 4 x Digital Zoom; this isn’t a big deal to users of the more serious camcorder products but for the target users of this camera it’s more than adequate. With the ability to record images at a resolution of up to 8MP (megapixels), it delivers clear and vivid images that possess sharp, defined details.
To play back movie clips and images, it’s simply of matter of popping the SDXC/SDHC/SD Memory Card from the camera into the SD card slot of a Panasonic Viera TV where Viera Image Viewer will guide users through the selection and organisation of clip files.
As a complement to the digital zoom, the HM-TA1 sports an effective E.I.S. (Electronic Image Stabiliser) system that helps to minimise the kind of distracting hand-shake commonly associated with home video clips.
Connectivity and Apple Mac compatibility
High definition video clips and images can be quickly and easily uploaded to web portals and social networking sites like YouTube thanks to the TA1’s built-in USB terminal. The camera comes with software allowing users to link directly to YouTube or Facebook so family and friends can immediately share their latest creations.
Supported by Apple’s MPEG-4 based iFrame video format, it’s now possible to load and even perform simple editing of videos and pictures using Apple’s iMovie video software (note that the format used here is not AVCHD, so it’s much easier to import, edit and share the TA1′s video clips on Macs and PCs).
And that’s not all; a unique feature of the TA1 is that it can also be used with the Skype IP phone service, too; simply connect the TA1 to a PC, and it becomes a web camera for free Skype-based video calls helping you to keep in touch with the world.
The TA1′s USB terminal also doubles as its battery charger. Plug it in to a PC at home or on the go in order to recharge the battery.
Style options
According to Panasonic, you can make your camera your own by giving it a personalised skin design. From funky and floral to sophisticated and sleek, Panasonic is offering one free skin per purchase with over 40 cool designs to choose from when using a web-link provided with the product – and if users don’t fancy using one of those on offer they cango ahead and create and upload their own. Additional skins can be purchased online at a cost of £9.99 each.
Source: Panasonic UK Press Office with additional text and supplementary information ©2010 Colin Barrett, SimplyDV Ltd. All images courtesy of Panasonic UK Press Office. Used by kind permission.
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Apple unveils 12-core Mac Pro, new iMacs and LED Cinema Display
Jul 27th
In addition to a new range of iMacs and a super 27″ LED Cinema Display, Apple has unveiled a new Mac Pro line with up to 12 processing cores and up to 50 percent greater performance than the previous generation.
Featuring the latest quad-core and 6-core Intel Xeon processors that will be of particular interest to video editors looking to acquire every inch of performance to cope with the latest full-spec HD video editing, the new machines feature all-new ATI graphics and the option for up to four 512GB solid state drives (SSD).
New Apple Mac Pro seen here with Apple LED Cinema Display
According to Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, “The new Mac Pro is the most powerful and configurable Mac we’ve ever made.” He points out that, with up to 12 cores, the new Mac Pro outperforms Apple’s previous top-of-the-line system by up to 50 percent, and with over a billion possible configurations, customers can create exactly the system they want.
At the heart of the new Mac Pro’s performance are next generation quad-core and 6-core Intel Xeon processors running at speeds up to 3.33 GHz. These multi-core processors use a single die design so each core can share up to 12MB L3 cache to improve efficiency while increasing processing speed. These systems feature an integrated memory controller for faster memory bandwidth and reduced memory latency; Turbo Boost to dynamically boost processor speeds up to 3.6 GHz; and Hyper-Threading to create up to 24 virtual cores. The Mac Pro now comes with the ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics processor with 1GB of memory and customers can configure-to-order the even faster ATI Radeon HD 5870 with 1GB of memory.
For the first time, Mac Pro customers have the option to order a 512GB SSD for the ultimate in reliability and lightning fast performance. With the ability to install up to four SSD drives in the system’s internal drive bays, the new Mac Pro can provide ultra high-speed disk bandwidth and random disk performance, two times faster than the average performance of a standard disk drive. Mac Pro also now features two Mini Display Ports and one dual-link DVI port. The additional Mini Display Port output allows customers to connect two LED Cinema Displays without an additional graphics card or adapter and the dual-link DVI port supports legacy DVI-based displays up to a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels.
New 27-inch LED Cinema Display
Also announced by Apple today is a new 27-inch LED Cinema Display with 2560 x 1440 resolution and a claimed 60 percent more screen real estate than the 24-inch LED Cinema Display. Featuring a built-in iSight video camera, microphone and speakers, powered USB 2.0 hub, and universal MagSafe connector, the new LED Cinema Display is a potential companion for the MacBook family or a Mac desktop, and is available in the USA for $999.
Apple’s iMac product line updated
Apple has also updated its all-in-one iMac line with the latest Intel Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 processors and powerful new graphics. Starting at £999 in the UK, the new iMac line is claimed to be the fastest ever with dual-core processor speeds up to 3.6 GHz, quad-core speeds up to 2.93 GHz and discrete graphics including the powerful ATI Radeon HD 5750. The new Magic Trackpad, with a smooth glass and aluminium design, gives iMac users the same intuitive Multi-Touch gestures that Mac notebook customers become used to and is available separately for £59 inc VAT.
Apple's new 27inch iMac
The dual-core Intel Core i3 and Core i5, and quad-core Core i5 and Core i7 processors feature an integrated memory controller to access the system memory directly, allowing the new iMac to take full advantage of its faster 1333 MHz memory. New discrete ATI Radeon HD processors deliver smoother, crisper graphics as required for 3D games, creative software and technical applications. The SD card slot on the iMac now supports the SDXC format to handle the latest high-capacity storage cards; these are particularly useful for AVCHD camcorder users wishing to import HD video clips for editing. Customers of the 27-inch iMac have the option to order a 256GB solid state drive (SSD) as a primary or secondary drive. The iMac SSD supports up to 215 MB/s data transfer rates for faster startup and application launch times.
More information: Apple.com and Apple.com/uk
eRetailers jump the gun on UK iPad orders
May 5th
A number of UK and European eRetailers are offering competitive prices on over 100 pre-order and unlocked versions of Apple’s iPad ahead of the product’s official launch here on May 10th according to price-comparison site Twenga.
With the US sales of Apple’s iPad now having reached the one million mark in record time, it seems that just about everyone is keen to get their hands on Apple’s revolutionary tablet device.
What’s particularly relevant for digital video-makers is the fact that iPad shows great promise not only as a portable display and playback device but also in the way it opens up many opportunities for video-makers and video-sharers at all points in the production and post-production workflow.
We’ve already seen lots of useful applications having become available to users of Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch devices, and there are positive indications of apps now in the pipeline which will greatly help video-makers in their workflows.
Jumping the gun ahead of launch date
Price comparison website and next-generation search engine Twenga.co.uk has reported that the tablets are already available to buy online, ahead of Apple’s official launch in Europe on May 10th (and a whole month later than the product’s US debut).
Users can compare over 100 deals for pre-order and unlocked iPads from 10 eRetailers and marketplace sites.
For most of these offers, the iPad will be delivered in its original box, configured for any UK operator, and complete with a one-year warranty.
Internet users can also find lots of accessories for their iPads, such as cases, screen protectors and much more by visiting Twenga.co.uk.
Here’s a sample of iPad prices ranging from £398.90 to £939 through eRetailers:
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eRetailer iPad 16GB iPad 32GB iPad 64GB Advance Technologies £398.90 Unknown Unknown Wirefree Homes £499.99 Unknown Unknown Fizi £517.99 £604.99 £710.99 Pixmania £547.98 £643.99 £743.99 Purely Gadgets £589.99 £685.99 £789.99 Xomobo £616.88 £703.83 £795.48 Vizik £799 £869 £939
It’s interesting to see that legitimate eBay resellers are also offering the iPad at discounted prices.
For our news story on the Apple iPad range see here.
More information: http://www.twenga.co.uk
Apple Launches iPad
Jan 27th
Thanks to what can only be a series of so-called controlled leaks by Apple, we all knew that Apple’s much-awaited new product reveal would be a tablet. And, lo, the iPad is born!
It’s been described by its maker as a revolutionary device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books and much more.
The all-new Apple iPad features a responsive high-resolution multi-touch display that’s designed to let users physically interact with applications and content. At just 0.5 inches thick and weighing just 1.5 pounds, the iPad is thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook and includes 12 new innovative apps designed especially for the iPad.
It will run almost all of the over 140,000 apps in the App Store. iPad will be available in late March starting at the breakthrough price of just $499 in the US (no indication UK/ROI/Europe pricing yet).
“Intimate, intuitive and fun” – CEO Jobs
In a presentation by Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs, he said: “iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price.” He continued, “iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.”
Every app works in both portrait and landscape, automatically animating between views as the user rotates iPad in any direction.
The precise multi-touch interface is designed to make surfing the web on the iPad an entirely new experience, dramatically more interactive and intimate than on a computer, we’re told.
Reading and sending email is designed to be fun and easy on iPad’s large screen and almost full-size “soft” keyboard. Users can import photos from a Mac, PC or digital camera, see them organised as albums, and enjoy and share them using iPad’s elegant slideshows. It’s also easy to watch movies, TV shows and YouTube, all in HD or flip through pages of an e-book that were downloaded from Apple’s new iBookstore while listening to one’s music collection.
iBooks from the iBookstore
iPad runs almost all of the over 140,000 apps on the App Store, including apps already purchased for an iPhone or iPod touch. The iTunes Store facilitates access to the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store with a catalogue of over 11 million songs, over 50,000 TV episodes and over 8,000 films including over 2,000 in stunning high definition video. Apple also announced the new iBooks app for iPad, which includes Apple’s new iBookstore and provides what Apple cliams to be the best way to browse, buy and read books on a mobile device. The iBookstore will feature books from major and independent publishers.
Apple also introduced a new version of iWork for iPad, claiming it to be the first desktop-class productivity suite designed specifically for multi-touch devices.
With already-familiar Mac applications commonly found on regular Mac desktop and laptop computers, Pages, Keynote and Numbers make the creation of beautifully formatted documents, stunning presentations with animations and transitions, together with spreadsheets with charts, functions and formulas – all of which look much better than their Windows equivalents. The three apps will be available separately through the App Store for US$9.99 each.
Same iTunes syncing as iPhone and iPod Touch
iPad syncs with iTunes just like the iPhone and iPod touch, using the standard Apple 30-pin to USB cable, meaning that all contacts, photos, music, movies, TV shows, applications (and more) can be synchronised from a Mac or PC. All the apps and content are downloaded to the iPad from the App Store, iTunes Store and iBookstore will be automatically synced to the user’s iTunes library the next time it is connected to the computer.
The iPad has been given a 9.7-inch, LED-backlit display which features IPS technology designed to deliver crisp, clear images and consistent colour with an ultra-wide 178 degree viewing angle.
The precise, capacitive multi-touch display is (according to Apple’s Press Release) “amazingly accurate and responsive” whether scrolling web pages or playing games.
Additionally, the intelligent soft keyboard pioneered on iPhone takes advantage of iPad’s larger display to offer an almost full-size soft keyboard. Many users will welcome the fact that the iPad also connects to the new iPad Keyboard Dock with a full-size traditional keyboard – something considered to be a really important and handy feature here at SimplyDV Towers.
Two versions – Wi-Fi with 3G, Wi-Fi without
iPad comes in two versions—one with Wi-Fi and the other with both Wi-Fi and 3G. iPad includes the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi, and the 3G versions support speeds up to 7.2 Mbps on HSDPA networks. Apple and AT&T announced breakthrough 3G pre-paid data plans for iPad with easy, on-device activation and management.
Pricing & Availability
The iPad will be available worldwide in late March for a suggested retail price of US$499 for the 16GB model, US$599 for the 32GB model, US$699 for the 64GB model. The Wi-Fi + 3G models of iPad will be available in April in the US and selected countries for a suggested retail price of US$629 for the 16GB model, US$729 for the 32GB model and US$829 for the 64GB model. iPad will be sold in the US through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorised Resellers. International pricing and worldwide availability will be announced at a later date. iBookstore will be available in the US at launch.
Smug Footnote by Author
Yours truly even predicted that it was to be called the “iPad”. And guess what? He was right!
Source (Text and Images) Apple UK. Additional words: Colin Barrett
Sony Bloggie: Mobile HD in a Snap
Jan 7th
The market for these compact and easy-to-use Mobile Snap camcorders was pioneered by the revolutionary Flip camera and caught other brands on the hop somewhat. However, despite their subsequently rushing out with comparable products it’s still an uncertain market – which perhaps explains why neither Panasonic nor Canon have bothered with it at all. So, will Sony’s latest multi-coloured “bloggie” range fare any better?
Mobile HD in a Snap: record yourself on the move with the Sony MHS-PM5 "bloggie"
Sony reckons it’s all about capturing the moment: “It’s the spirit of fun, spontaneous still and video shooting and sharing that comes alive with the launch of bloggie – a fresh concept in style-conscious, premium quality Mobile HD Snap Cameras by Sony”. That’s their words, by the way.
In February the bloggie makes its European debut with two new models, both of which are designed to make it very easy to grab photos and video clips for quick, hassle-free sharing on the web.
Like the Flip models whose success they are undoubtedly attempting to emulate, they’ll slip effortlessly into a pocket or bag and be right there when you need to capture that all-important moment when out with the family or up to no good with one’s mates on a Friday night.
Full HD MPEG4 video with the MHS-PM5/PM5K and MHS-CM5
Colourful, light and easy to carry, bloggie (as Sony affectionately calls the devices) is clearly a spontaneous way to share memories, update a personal blog with a bit of HD video or post to social networking apps while travelling. Just point and shoot: then walk into any internet café, hook up bloggie and upload your life using the camera’s embedded PMB Portable software.
Sony MHS-PM5 Bloggie HD Camcorder (Blue) Main panel
Both models are obviously designed with simplicity in mind; the MHS-PM5/PM5K and MHS-CM5 produce images of an effective resolution of 5MP (megapixels) in 1280×720/60p HD video resolution as well as offering Full HD 1920×1080/30p high definition. Note that this isn’t AVCHD; the video clips produced are primarily aimed at users who wish to upload their clips to online content sharing sites like YouTube, MySpace or Facebook so the fact that recordings are consistent with USA standards rather than European ones shouldn’t really matter too much.
However, with YouTube now facilitating 1920 x 1080p uploading, the Full HD option will attract a fair share of takers.
On-board SteadyShot image stabilisation cuts camera shake when you’re shooting handheld, and Face Detection will help to correctly resolve people’s facial characteristics – but note that these features are available only when shooting in the optional 720/30p shooting mode.
Styled in a choice of four colour finishes, the MHS-PM5/PM5K features a rotating lens that swivels 270 degrees to capture life from any angle: get down low, aim high or turn it around to record yourself.
The bright, high resolution 6.0cm LCD screen (pictured left) shows camera settings in the bottom half of the display while you’re shooting. When you want to see the results, turn bloggie horizontally and play back your clips and photos in landscape format.
The MHS-PM5K also includes a special 360-degree Video lens adaptor that lets you generate panoramic videos. To achieve this, users should slip on the adaptor and start shooting in 360 Video mode. According to Sony, bloggie captures panoramic video as specially encoded files that can be ‘unwrapped’ for PC viewing using supplied PMB software and the 360 Video Player application.
Sony MHS-CM5 Bloggie showing built-in flip-away USB connector
Featuring a pistol grip vertical styling that many people will be familar with, the MHS-CM5 boasts a high-quality 5x optical zoom lens, plus a swivel 6.2cm LCD screen that flips out for comfortable shooting and viewing.
Connectivity
After shooting, both cameras can be linked directly to a Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 PC or Apple Intel Mac using the built-in USB connector that tucks away into the camera’s body when not in use.
The embedded PMB Portable software launches automatically when bloggie is connected to the PC or Mac, allowing users to immediately view, select and upload clips to popular social apps and media sharing sites like Picasa and YouTube.
There’s no need to install any editing or file transfer software on the computer, making bloggie ideal for use in any internet café while travelling. Even an external charger isn’t necessary since the camera’s battery is automatically charged while it’s connected to a computer its USB plug.
The MHS-CM5 also sports an HDMI connector, enabling photos and Full HD clips to be viewed either on a Sony BRAVIA or other HD TV.
Upcoming Facebook content sharing update
The simple integration for sharing content on Facebook will also be available as a downloadable update to this software from April 2010 onwards. This complements the existing sharing capability with such sites as YouTube and Picasa Web Albums. With the new version, users will have the ability to share photos and videos on Facebook directly from PMB Portable software.
Availability
The bloggie MHS-PM5, MHS-PM5K and MHS-CM5 Mobile HD Snap Cameras are available from Feburary 2010.
Apple’s iSlate to ship in March?
Jan 5th
The good old Apple rumour-mill has been grinding away for months and now it looks as if we’re a positive step closer to learning the truth. The Cupertino, California, based giant looks set to reveal its new tablet computer soon, with a late-March launch for the product that shall (at least according to those bearing rumours) be called the iSlate.
It’s basically a big iPhone or iPod Touch; a 10- or 11-inch touch screen with (we can only assume) all the now-familar features of the iPhone plus the functionality of one of the company’s Mac Book laptops will at last be available soon.
According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, the selling price is likely to be $1,000. Not a cheap, even if convenient, substitute for your average laptop or notebook PC, but we at SimplyDV towers can think of some interesting uses for digital video-makers. Just think – a Wi-Fi connected device into which your SD or even HD movie clips can be imported using the Mac user’s preferred OS and edited in (dare we speculate further?) iMovie. The sky’s the limit, really.
Here’s a video clip with more information (or should that be speculation?):
A trawl around the web right now is sufficient to glean the following specs:
- 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache and 1066MHz system bus
- 2GB of RAM, but will support up to 8GB
- 120GB SATA hard drive 4200RPM
- Built-in iSight Camera; Built-in Projector (Projector?)
- 7.1 inch Widescreen Multitouch display, with intelligent feedback; finger-print resistant oleophobic coating
- Two USB Ports, SD Card Slot
- Built-in Stereo Speakers, built-in mic
- Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit) Ethernet
- Built-in Airport Extreme Wi-Fi (based on IEEE 802.11n draft specification)
- Built-in Bluetooth 2.1 EDR Module
- MAC OS X Clouded Leopard v 10.7
More info as we get it!
