Nikon D5000 with swivel LCD and HD video

Nikon announced a long-awaited update to its entry digital SLRs with the D5000. Now consumers can compose shots from off-angle. It is provided by a swivel LCD. Video mode is also upgraded. Photographers can record 720p video with sound that can be previewed over HDMI output.

And it is not all. Nikon has boosted the sensor resolution to 12.3 megapixels and extended the light sensitivity. Now it coincides with ISO 3,200 in normal shooting and with ISO 6,400 in an extended mode. Number of auto focusing points has been reached up to 11. The camera developers added a 3D tracking for moving subjects and allowed bracketing. Also automatic sensor dust removal was added.

Making quality photos is now simpler. D5000 has scene recognition and presets for monochrome or other shooting modes. Active D-Lighting helps restore details to shadows as well as reduce the likelihood of blown-out highlights.

Nikon D5000 will be in markets in May. The price will be near 850 USD with an 18-55 mm VR lens kit.

Read rest of entry

Lighter Spy Gadget with Miniature Camera

If you were planning to join the espionage department in your country and were looking at ways to impress those men in black suits, you could get yourself the Ajoka’s Cigarette Lighter spy cam. The ciggy lighter is a miniature spy camera in disguise and can record videos in AVI format at an amazing 30 frames per second, considering its size. The gadget also supports 8GB microSD.

The lithium ion battery makes sure your spy gadget runs continuously for 6 hours, though it can be charged the moment you see a USB plug. However, your enemies might wonder why you are hell bent upon charging your cigarette lighter. Well, if your negotiation and tricking skills are not good enough, you shouldn’t be planning to join the espionage department in the first place. If you have a number of spies with you, you could order these cigarette lighters wholesale for $150 per piece.

The Ajoka Cigarette lighter comes with American Dad caricatures, so make sure which country you are from, lest you be taken to be an enemy of your own country. If you wanted a little more variety among the spy gadgets you could buy, do check out the Barack Obama Belt Buckle or the list of Cool Spy Gadgets. I am sure you would not be disappointed.

Source

Read rest of entry

Panasonic outs lightest HD camcorders

Panasonic is back in the limelight yet again with the release of a couple of High Definition camcorders which are touted to be the lightest in the world. While we don’t doubt the authenticity of that claim, these days such titles are often traded among rival manufacturers in a matter of weeks or months, due to constant advancement in technology. Well, the two HD camcorders in question are the HDC-SD10 and the HDC-TM10, where the former will rely on the SDHC/SD memory card format as the recording media of choice, while the latter takes on a more versatile Twin Memory format, saving your recorded memories onto its 8GB internal flash memory or using an SDHC/SD memory card as well. Either model will tip the scales at a mere 0.5lbs, although the relatively small body is able to pack in 16x optical zoom capability and advanced features to produce beautiful 1920 x 1080 Full-HD videos.

The 16x optical zoom found in the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 will be supported by the Advanced O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) function, one of the main tools in helping both camcorders achieve clear zooming while minimizing hand-shakes and jitters that often accompany lesser models. Panasonic’s Advanced O.I.S. is sensitive enough to detect and correct hand-shake of around 4,000 times per second, and allows the high-powered optical zoom to produce clear, stable zoom shots. In addition, the Active mode also extends the hand-shake correction range to allow the shooting of clear, crisp images while walking or moving.

Other features found on staple Panasonic camcorders include the iA (Intelligent Auto) function that is able to choose the most suitable scene mode for those who have no idea how to use this, thanks to its chip that is able to pick out the right shooting conditions, in addition to Face Detection for easy portrait shooting, Intelligent Contrast Control for proper contrast in videos and AF/AE Tracking (Auto Focus/Auto Exposure Tracking) that helps you track a moving subject automatically. The Panasonic HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 will retail for $549.95 and $599.95, respectively.

Source

Read rest of entry

High Resolution Spy Camera Sunglasses - NEW TECHNOLOGY

Introducing new technology (SWA) color spy camera sunglasses with higher resolution and extra lens set. (Clear, Black, Blue) No "hanging" battery packs required -DVR powered by the most popular pocket DVR models including MP/DVR, PV-500, PV-600, PV-700, PV-800, PV-900 and the MP4/MR.) New technology "SWA" CMOS spy camera equals the resolution and low light rating of CCD cameras but uses a fraction of the power requirement (1/4th). The new CMOS imager offers higher speed, windowing, and antiblooming compensation than CCD cameras, resulting in better overall performance at lower price and power requirement.

Specfications:

* 420 lines of resolution
* 0.2 Low Lux Rating
* Ultra Low Power Draw
* Powered by Most Popular DVR's
* Interchangeable sunglasses Lenses

Source

Read rest of entry

Affordable Solar Coming to the City?

in development at Veranda Solar

Most solar panels for homes are primarily marketed for larger, more affluent suburban home owner. Veranda Solar has a new idea that offers an affordable solution for people living in the city, small enough to use outside apartment and condo windows. It probably won’t generate enough power to run all the electricity but may offer significant help in lowering energy use. They are estimating they will sell these for $400-600 and that the end user will be able to install easily themselves. The caveat, of course, is you’ll need a sunny window and unless the panels can move to move to follow the sun - there will only a be a limited time it can collect direct sun rays. Still, they may be able to work out these issues so it can offer solar power to renters and other city dwellers.

Read rest of entry

Night Vision Spy Camera - Self recording spy camera sees in the dark

A first of its kind night vision spy camera can cut through the night and reveal the secrets held by the darkness. Initially developed to help a federal agency catch a pedophile in his own home, we've taken this technology using infrared LEDs and created an infrared spy camera with night vision capability unmatched by any other security camera system. There are no visible plugs, SD cards or anything to give away your secret! This air purifier plugs straight into the wall outlet. Advanced MPEG4 technology makes this the most powerful night vision spy camera on the market today. Built-in night light hides invisible infrared illuminators, allowing unit to record in TOTAL DARKNESS! Motion activated, time/date stamped security recording has never been easier! Recording can be played back directly from the unit or SD card can be removed and played on a PC. (Includes 2 Gig USB SD card reader) Night Vision Spy Camera Features: Day/Night Operation: Our "Dually" package automatically changes from Sony Ex-View Color to Sony Ex-view ultra low light (.0001 Lux) when light levels fall below .05 Lux. Invisible IR Illuminators: Totally invisible, allows recording up to 20 feet in total darkness. High Resolution Video at 12 fps: (640 X 480) High Resolution fluid motion recording capability. (user adjustable from 1 to 12 fps) Medium Resolution Video at 30 fps (320 X 240) (user adjustable from 1 to 30 fps) 16GB SDHC Card Support- Up to 80 hours recording at full 30 fps- (records 5 hours per GB on lower capacity SD cards) Hundreds of hours possible with lower frame rate selections. Firmware Upgrade - New firmware can be quickly installed via USB port. Embedded Time/Date Stamp - Embedded in video- Time/Date stamp is seen on both playback from unit and PC via SD Card. Enhanced Motion Activation: Not only is sensitivity adjustable, but also features a "grid" setting with multiple blocks to eliminate unwanted triggers in the camera view such as a computer screen or rotating fan. Multiple Playback Speeds: X1/ X2/ X4/ X8/ X16/ X32/ Schedule Recording: Record time can be set to record at only times of interest. Event Search Function: Property and first image of selected file is displayed to quickly find a particular event. IR Remote Control: For setting system parameters and arming and disarming unit. Video example of the built-in color switching technology. This camera switches from Color to Black and White to night vision. Secret trap door on the back can only be opened with our special key. Invisible 950nm infrared LEDs give this camera special night vision. Source

Read rest of entry

Kenwood Promises Surround From 2-Speaker CD Player

Have you heard of DTS Surround Sensation? Well, you may soon as Kenwood is aiming to be the first to deliver surround sound from your humble bedside CD player.

Well, pseudo surround to be exact but what can you expect from just two speakers?

The forthcoming CD player, as yet unnamed, was previewed sometime ago but has yet to see the light of day but at least now you can see what it looks like and its launch date seems imminent.

DTS Surround Sensation [announced way back at CES 2008] comes from the famous DTS surround sound squad, and promises the "most realistic, three-dimensional sensation of being completely surrounded by sound -- when listening with just two speakers or stereo headphones".

DTS explains:

"Humans perceive sounds in three dimensions. Localization of sound depends on the way that sound waves from the same source differ from each other as they reach the left and right ear. Examples of these cues include such things as variance in spectral frequencies, intensity of volume, and time differences between sounds arriving in either ear.

Without any outside influence or assistance, traditional two-speaker sound systems and headphones are not designed or equipped to accurately reproduce these direct and indirect cues. Therefore, the soundstage is one-dimensional, flat, and lacking depth, and allows only limited width. DTS Surround Sensation rises to meet this challenge."

Kenwood will launch its surround CD player in Japan first this April.

Source

Read rest of entry