Digital Gadgets

Canon launches EOS 30D

Addressing the needs of a wide range of photographers ranging from wedding and portrait specialists to photojournalists and advanced amateurs, Canon’s new EOS 30D Digital SLR redefines the mid-range of the growing DSLR market and achieves new standards of excellence for features, durability, versatility and even affordability.

Canon is pleased to announce the new EOS 30D, replacing the award winning EOS 20D. Retaining the 5fps, 8.2 Megapixel performance of its predecessor, the upgraded camera enjoys a larger, wider viewing angle 2.5in LCD, extended 100,000 shutter cycle durability, spot metering, and a variety of refinements designed to enhance the photographic experience.

Canon also expands its digital SLR lens offerings with new EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM and EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM lenses. Whether tracking the trajectory of a bridal bouquet from its ceremonial over-the-shoulder launch to its unceremonious diving reception, freezing the action on a hot news story or capturing the essence in the eyes of a portrait subject, Canon’s 8.2 megapixel EOS 30D delivers.

The EOS 30D model builds upon the virtues that made the EOS 20D Digital SLR the number one camera in its class virtually from day-one, including Canon’s proprietary 8.2-megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor, powerful DIGIC II Imaging processor, fast five fps shooting capability and field-tested tough construction. This new EOS 30D Digital SLR takes professional photographers even closer to the upper reaches of Canon’s pro digital SLR line, incorporating input from users and features and innovations from the EOS 5D and even the EOS-1D Mark II N Digital SLRs, at a fraction of their respective prices.

Top lining the improvements that set the EOS 30D Digital SLR apart from its worthy predecessor are:

* 8.2 Megapixel APS-C size CMOS sensor
* 5fps and 30 large JPEG frame burst
* 2.5in/230K pixel LCD screen with 170deg wide viewing angle
* Picture Style image processing parameters
* Spot metering and High Precision 9-point AF system
* DIGIC II image processor with 0.15 sec start-up time
* Digital Photo Professional RAW processing software
* 100,000 cycle shutter durability and rugged magnesium alloy body
* Simultaneous RAW and JPEG recording
* Wide 100-3200 ISO range
* E-TTL II Flash
* PictBridge compatibility
* Complete compatibility with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series Speedlites
* USB 2.0 Hi-Speed and Video Out connectivity

Some notable enhancements include a new 2.5-inch 230K color LCD, Canon’s more flexible Picture Style menu, an increased burst depth, and the welcome ability to change the ISO while looking through the viewfinder. Those of you looking for more than a refined 20D will have to wait and see if we get the rumored 10 megapixel 35D announcement before the day is up. More pix after the break. With a street price rumored to be $1399, the newest member of the EOS lineup is nicely priced. The question is, does it offer enough of a feature upgrade for current 20D users? Time will tell.

Increasing the new camera’s flexibility and ease of use, the ISO speed can now be set from 100 to 1600 in 1/3 stop increments, rather than full stops (and can be pushed to 3200 with ISO expansion). What’s more, users can see the ISO setting in the EOS 30D SLR’s viewfinder while changing it (and not simply on the monitor display as on the EOS 20D model), which in turn permits photographers to keep their eyes on their subject.

Recognizing the need for efficient and effective work flow controls - particularly for professional photographers - the EOS 30D Digital Camera has improved folder management, providing manual folder creation and raising the number of images in each folder to 9,999 (from 100 as it was on the EOS 20D model). The unit offers enhanced camera-controlled direct print features and incorporates both direct print and direct download capabilities with the single press of the camera’s print/share button.

Viliv P1 PMP to tackle iPod Video in the US

The viliv P1 has to looks of the bastard child of a Sony PSP and an iPod. PVP4U reported about the viliv P1 when it appeared in Korea last summer. Now Episodic Media Inc. informed me that they will be selling the viliv P1 with a 30GB hard-drive beginning in March in the US and Canada.

If you had told us last year that the Viliv P1 PMP would soon be available in the US, we would have laughed in your face (well, OK, maybe we would have been polite and chuckled into our hands).

It was originally released to the Korean market last summer. Developed by Yukyung Technologies, the Viliv P1 comes with a good-sized 4-inch widescreen TFT display, which can show off everything from Macromedia Flash to MPEG 1/2/4.

If the 30 gigabytes of on-board memory isn’t enough for you, you can throw in a compact flash card to keep the “unlimited excitement” (as labelled under the screen) going. Audio support comes in the way of MP3s, WMAs, and even OGGs, as well as FM radio reception.

Episodic Media launched goviliv featuring a stylish flash featuring a great looking gadget model and the features of the stylish viliv P1. After all, not only does the device have a suspiciously familiar controller, but it’s also from Yukyung Technologies, a company with zero US presence.

The viliv P1 PMP comes with a 30GB hard-drive, 4 inch 16:9 wide-screen with 480×272px TFT screen, Macromedia Flash player, FM-Tuner, Voice and audio recording, Speaker, CF Slot, Video and Audio Out, 6 hour video viewing battery life and 11 hours for audio. The video player supports DivX, Xvid and MPEG1/2/4. The audio player supports MP3, WMA and OGG.

But this is one case where we’re happy to be proven wrong, since the player will apparently make its North American debut on March 1 via a dedicated e-store. Specs include a 30GB drive, DivX and Xvid support, 4-inch display, FM radio and CF slot. And, yes, it does still have that round, white controller, but we’re willing to overlook that (though we don’t know if you-know-who will do the same). Battery life is pretty good, with 6 hours of video viewing, or 11 hours of audio. This DivX and Xvid playing PMP should be hitting American and Canadian shelves sometime this March.

AVerMedia enters new market with AVerTV Porta 3 LCD

AVerMedia, leading PC-TV tuner card manufacturer, has transferred its expertise to the digital consumer electronic market for this years showcase at Cebit 2006, Hanover. The growing trend of personal and portable TV has strongly motivated AVerMedia to design and launch the Hybrid 7-inch LCD TV, the AVerTV Porta 3 which for the first time will be available to view on Booth A37 in Hall 23.

Visitors to the stand will also be the first in Europe to view a live demonstration of DVB-H via AVerMedia’s new DVB-H TV solutions. As well as the much anticipated Dual Hybrid PCi Express Solution and DVB-T Pendrive, AVerMedia will be showcasing 5 new Media Center solutions.

The growing trend of personal and portable TV has strongly motivated AVerMedia to design and launch the Hybrid 7-inch LCD TV, the AVerTV Porta 3 which for the first time will be available to view on Booth A37 in Hall 23.

Visitors to the stand will also be the first in Europe to view a live demonstration of DVB-H via AVerMedia�s new DVB-H TV solutions. As well as the much anticipated Dual Hybrid PCi Express Solution and DVB-T Pendrive, AVerMedia will be showcasing 5 new Media Center solutions.

You lucky Brits with your Freeview digital TV- we may harsh on you for your dearth of analog OTA stations, but this whole free DVB-T thing really takes us to task. Well now AVerMedia, best known for PC tuner components, is starting to feel the Freeview vibe and entering the growing portable display market with their 7-inch AVerTV Porta 3 LCD.

The AVerTV Porta 3 with stylish looks in a sleek footprint has been designed to be the perfect truly portable LCD TV for a multimedia lifestyle. Aesthetically designed at around the size of an A5 paperback with a stylish snow-white and grey color casing, the AVerTV Porta 3 featuring a stunning 7-inch, 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD allows users to watch favourite analogue and digital TV programmes in high quality, wherever they happen to be. The Porta 3 will blend in perfectly to any living room, bedroom, kitchen, caravan, car etc and can be easily carried along on picnics, long car journeys, camping trips etc.

Versatility to keep up with a multimedia lifestyle: The AVerTV Porta 3 incorporates an award winning TV Tuner from the AVerMedia Hybrid series, allowing users to watch both Analogue and Digital TV programmes and future proofing them during the Analogue to Digital switchover period.

* The AVerTV Porta 3 incorporates an award winning TV Tuner from the AVerMedia Hybrid series, allowing users to watch both Analogue and Digital TV programmes and future proofing them during the Analogue to Digital switchover period.

* Connect the AVerTV Porta 3 to a standard analogue TV set to transform it into a Digital TV receiver and receive free-to air digital TV programmes without the need of an additional Digital set-top-box.

* Not only can the AVerTV Porta 3 act as a portable TV but users can also connect their Games Console, DVD Player or Camcorder to further enhance its multimedia capabilities � view holiday videos while still on holiday or, watch DVDs or play the latest games whilst traveling.

*The Porta 3 sports a 16:9 TFT screen, digital and analog tuners, and even composite and S-video outs for use as a de facto set-top box. AVerMedia will be showing off their new toy in a few weeks at CeBIT, when we’ll probably learn more about pricing and availability for our friends in the UK.

*Designed to be portable the AVerTV Porta 3 includes unique features for enhanced protection and stability…

*The AVerTV Porta 3 comes with a Battery Pack providing up to 2.5 hours viewing time (3,600 mAh) making it a truly portable TV.

*Rubber Bumpers have been added to the Porta 3 to provide a skid-proof, stable foothold allowing users to place the Porta 3 stably in almost any position and on almost any surface.

*A Tabletop Stand, exclusively designed by AVerMedia, allows users to freely adjust the Porta 3 to the optimal viewing angle for any viewing distance (up to 75 degrees) ensuring complete comfort.

The AVerTV Porta 3 provides powerful TV features to fulfil your multimedia entertainment such as Favourite Programme Editing, EPG, and Parental Lock, etc. as well as the more traditional features found on standard TV sets such as; set your personal viewing preferences with the Brightness and Contrast Adjustment features. Other features such as Sleep Timer to power off TV programs automatically and multi-languages on the OSD have been additionally incorporated.

The supplied remote control with friendly hot keys has been designed with convenience in mind, for example, without the usual complicated settings process users can easily adjust the LCD screen format between 16:9 and 4:3 via the hot keys.

Canon PowerShot S3 IS Announced

The Canon PowerShot S3 IS is 6 Megapixel hybrid digital camera that is equally at home with photo enthusiasts and digital diehards as it is in the hands of the point-and-shoot “where do I press?” set. Remarkably, whether engaged in VGA quality videography at 30 fps with stereo sound recording, high-resolution still photography, or capturing both at the same time, the Canon S3 IS remains easy to use.

The successor to the five Megapixel S2 IS, the Canon PowerShot S3 IS enhancements begin with Canon’s newly designed 6 Megapixel image sensor that together with Canon’s DIGIC II image processor dramatically reduces “noise” for better image quality and achieves ISO equivalent speed ratings ranging from 80 to 800.

The S3 IS marks the third generation of Canon’s mega-zooming bridge camera.

Including a 6MP CCD, the f/2.7-3.5 12x optical zoom includes an Ultra-Sonic Motor (USM) for fast and quiet operation and an Ultra-low Dispersion element to reduce the effect of chromatic aberration. Canon’s optical Image Stabiliser reduces the effect of blur caused by camera shake, which can appear on photographs (and movies), enabling the use of shutter speeds three times slower than conventional cameras. Canon has also extended the sensitivity range to ISO 800.

The S3 IS can capture VGA movies at a rate of 30fps with stereo sound and individual full-resolution frames can be captured using the Photo In Movie function.

Sporting a striking new finish in gunmetal grey, the compact PowerShot S3 IS answers the demands of advanced photographers with several improvements over its predecessor, including an increased sensitivity range of ISO 80 to ISO 800, a larger 2.0″ vari-angle LCD screen, widescreen (16:9) recording, new movie features and an additional Sports mode.

The PowerShot S3 IS features:
12x optical zoom lens with USM and UD lens element
Optical Image Stabilizer
6.0 Megapixel CCD
Larger size 2.0” Vari-angle LCD
30fps VGA movies with stereo sound and Photo in Movie feature
DIGIC II, iSAPS and Flexizone AF/AE for fast, precise results and 2.3 fps continuous shooting performance
20 shooting modes and My Colors photo effects
High ISO Auto and ISO 800 for low light flexibility
Widescreen (16:9) recording

The PowerShot S3 IS caters for serious photo enthusiasts seeking extended zooming flexibility and fully featured movie recording in a versatile compact digital stills camera.

The camera’s 12x zoom lens gives you a film equivalent of 36-432 mm at a relatively quick f/2.7 at its widest angle, and f/3.5 zoomed all the way in. Even though that lens has a nice long focal length, it still retracts into the camera when not in use.

Alongside Manual, Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority modes, the S3 IS includes a selection of scene modes, such as: Night Snapshot, Snow, Colour Accent and Colour Swap. Other features include: 2in LCD, 0cm Super Macro mode, Widescreen mode and 2.3fps continuous shooting modes.

The Canon PowerShot S3 IS hits the shops in May for £449. Find out more by calling 08705 143723.

The S3 keeps the earlier model’s 12x optical zoom, ups the megapixel count from 5 to 6, pushes the maximum ISO to 800, bumps the flip-out LCD to 2 inches and adds a 60fps QVGA movie mode. Pricing has yet to be announced, but it should be in line with the S2, which currently sells for about $400.