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Posts tagged Flip
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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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.
