Posts Tagged ‘Sony’

Some more netbook thoughts

by cfulton | September 15th, 2009

keyboard5Just stumbled upon a blog entry titled “Netbooks = Deja vu all over again?” at TechThoughts. It reminded me of a previous blog post of mine in which I was contemplating taking the Pepsi Challenge with a netbook myself. I ultimately decided against it, and I’m glad I did–the 320GB hard drive in my new 17″ notebook ended up getting almost completely filled up. But this was after I discovered that the machine is truly powerful enough to be a desktop replacement… so it accumulated the release candidate of Windows 7, a huge amount of video, and all of the documents that I could successfully convert from the Mac (they make it easy to go from PC to Mac, but not the other way… grrr…)

Ahem. But anyway, back to the other article: the author makes the interesting point that netbooks aren’t a particularly new idea. The author owned a Sony PictureBook back in the bad ol’ days of Windows Me. It actually had more capabilities than the MacBook Air, arguably the machine that started the netbook movement, depending on whom you ask. And it was an interesting machine in the annals of computing history, in that it is one of the very few machines ever released to use the Transmeta Crusoe processor.

How will history treat the netbook craze? Are they a fad? A nice, cheap computer to use to look for jobs with as the economy emerges from the brink of ruin? Or will they become a fixture in every household? The kind of computer issued to every new kindergärtner? Time will tell.

Michael Jackson was a Camcorder Geek

by VideoChick | June 26th, 2009

I just found this post on Gizmodo that I thought I’d share with you before the weekend. In one of those rare shots of Michael Jackson as “just an ordinary guy”, he’s checking out the camcorders at an interview in Ireland. First the Sony F900 Sony then the HVR-Z1U.

Read the story and watch the footage here:

http://gizmodo.com/5303026/michael-jackson-gets-his-geek-on

Happy Weekend

Sony Introduces Vegas Pro 9

by editorialstaff | June 19th, 2009

vegaspro92

Reprinted from a Sony press release

The new Vegas Pro 9 collection is here and ready to revolutionize the video and broadcast production world. Vegas Pro 9 software features a new customizable interface for optimized viewing and enhanced usability, as well as significant improvements for professional video editors.

New Vegas Pro 9 features include:
• New user interface for optimized color viewing and enhanced usability
• Native XDCAM EX reading and import
• Open and edit RED ONE™ files on the timeline
• 4K project support, up to 4096 x 4096
• New Gradient Wipe transition
• New Glint, Rays, Defocus, Starburst, Soft Contrast and Fill Light video effects
• Support for Gigapixel-size images
• Includes native 32- and 64-bit versions of Vegas Pro 9 software

Order yours today to take advantage of our limited-time upgrade special.

Upgrade any previous version of Vegas Pro software and you’ll save $50 and get your choice free:

NewBlue Sampler Pack of 10
The Sony Sound Effects Series
Sound Forge Audio Studio

Upgrade from $184.95 through June 30, 2009

Looking Back at NAB 2009- Camcorders

by jburkhart | April 27th, 2009

Once again traveling the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center, at NAB we made a bee line for the camcorder manufacturers to see what was available in the low end of the broadcast range.

320gy-hm100stJVC was showing off it’s new ProHD solid state GY HM-100 and GY HM-700 camcorders, that record to SDHC cards in native Quicktime format. Both models record in almost every flavor of HD video, 1080i, 1080p, 720p at various NTSC and PAL compatible frame rates. The codec used is 35Mbps MPEG-2

JVC promised to get us a review unit of the hand held GY-HM 100 as soon as they’re off the assembly lines in a few weeks. The GY HM-100 is available within a few weeks at a price point of $3,995, and the HM-700 is on sale now for $7,995.

ag-hmc40angle-wmicaPanansonic announced a hand-held pro model, the HMC 40. This new small format camcorder also records to SDHC cards, but belongs to the AVCCAM line, meaning it records in AVCHD. The camcorder comes with 3, 1/4 inch CMOS sensors, with a maximum bit rate of 24Mbps.

The HMC 40 will be released in August with a suggested price of $3,195. We’re also keen to take a look at it here in the offices, as we really liked their HMC-150 in the same AVCCAM family.

5dmkiiCanon was there showing off some new broadcast lenses, but no updates to their camcorder line were there, unless you include the Canon 5D mark II DSLR, which they showed tricked out in their booth alongside their camcorders.

There were a lot of accessories for this DLSR, including follow focus systems, rails, viewfinders and various audio attachments. There’s no doubt that the DSLR as video camera is here to stay as a category. We’ve got our Canon on 5D mark II on the test bench now.

sonypovSony didn’t have much in the way of new announcements this year, but one thing that did catch our eye, was the HXRMC1, POV camera. It’s essentially an AVCHD camcorder with the lens detached and conntected to the camcorder by a 9 foot cable. There’s all sorts of uses as a second camera with such versatility.

The camera shoots 1080i AVCHD to Memory Stick, and includes a 10x zoom lens, and weighs only 1lb. 1oz, making it possible to stick anywhere. Uses include work as a helmet-cam, or mounted on a boom pole for some extreme POV shots.

Sony Announces 2009 Camcorder Line-Up

by tomskowronski | January 9th, 2009

Sony announced today it’s consumer camcorder line-up for 2009, here is a listing of what to look for.

hdr-xr520v_b_main_2.jpgSONY HDR-XR520V 240GB HIGH-DEFINITION HARD DISK DRIVE HANDYCAM® CAMCORDER

Available in March for about $1500
Full 1920×1080 high-definition video recording and 12-megapixel still image capture
Large capacity 240GB hard drive holds up to 92 hours of video
New back-illuminated “Exmor-R” CMOS sensor improves sensitivity in low light conditions
Photo and video geo-tagging using built-in GPS receiver and Navteq maps
Improved Optical Steady Shot with Active Mode stabilization for smooth video and photos
Smile Shutter™ automatically takes photos when subject smiles, even while shooting HD video
Face detection technology recognizes up to eight faces and automatically corrects focus, exposure and color control

Read the rest of this entry »

Live at Videomaker: Sony FX1000 HDV Camcorder

by VideoChick | December 11th, 2008

Sony FX1000 with FX1If you were one of those who were able to tune in today, you got the chance to see our hour-long live report on  Sony FX1000 .

John Burkhart and Tom Skowronski had the chance to play around with Sony’s newest HDV camera and put it through some tests and gave their thoughts on the camcorder’s performance, as well as made comparisons to this camera’s predecessor, the FX1. Our live web-cast will continue to loop for the next few days at videomaker.com/live. After that, we’ll have a taped recording of the show that you’ll be able to view on our website. When we have that link up we’ll send out a notice.

crew.jpgThose who tuned in today were able to ask one-on-one questions about the camera about features to the FX1000 that they’d like to learn more about. We’re hoping to do more live reviews such as this, our viewers enjoy the valuable opportunity to ask individual questions and like seeing a review earlier than when they appear in print. tom-john-charlie.jpg

Thanks to those who did tune in, send us your thoughts, we’re always learning, and we plan to do more of these reviews if you like watching them.. we like doing them!

Live Review Reminder: Sony FX-1000

by jburkhart | December 9th, 2008

FX1000Just a reminder to join us on Thursday, December 11th, at 11am PST (2pm EST), for a live review of Sony’s newest HDV camcorder the FX1000. We will be going over our impressions and reviewing the camcorder in a live web-cast at videomaker.com/live. We will also be taking questions from our audience via the chat room, so if you have any specific topics you want to know more about the FX1000 be sure to tune in and ask us directly. If you can’t make the live review, don’t worry, we’ll be playing the repeats of the review on our channel for the next few days. Join us on December 11th, and let’s go over the Sony FX1000 together.

The live review is a format that we’ve been looking at doing more often. We like the immediacy of the concept, rather than having to wait for the print magazine to hit the stands. We also think there’s value in taking your questions directly and answering them right there. Besides we always like interacting with Videomaker readers, so stop on by and bring some questions.

Wide Camcorder Lenses

by jburkhart | October 31st, 2008

Z5uEvery once and a while I like to stop and give credit where credit is due. Recently manufacturers have started to finally embrace the wide angle part of the lens as a selling point, and I for one applaud them.

Unless you’re shooting wildlife or sports, a very wide lens is usually much more useful to the videographer than a long zoom. Nonetheless it seems for years manufacturers have been using the zoom length (10x, 20x, 30x) as one of the main selling points for their camcorders. I think it all stems from the uninformed consumer who having a choice of a 10x zoom or a 300x digital zoom will obviously think the 300x is better, regardless of the fact that at that extreme digital zoom, it would be hard to distinguish from the mosaic filter.

That being said two recent camcorder releases, the Panasonic HMC150, and the Sony FX-1000 (Z5-U) have equipped their cameras with pretty astoundingly wide lenses.

HMC-150

I’m not sure what recent technological advances have occurred to make these lenses more affordable, but I certainly appreciate it. The 13x wide lens of the Panasonic 28mm-368mm (35mm equiv) is impressive in its versatility. Not to be outdone, Sony’s new camcorders offer a 29mm lens on a 20x zoom as well.

I just thought I’d pop up to give some well deserved praise to the engineers of these new lenses.

Electronic paper TV is the NEW Media Fashion Trend!

by tomskowronski | October 21st, 2008

2.5″ x .001″ bendable razor thin TV

    Hey, is that guy wearing a TV? Believe it or not, Sony has been mastering the technology of razor thin, paper like bendable plastic that has the ability to display full-color video. Sony originally presented the 2.5-inch video screen that was only 0.01 inch thick, in 2007. The idea being to create thinner cell phones and MP3 players.
    Using a small film transistor and a electroluminescent display to create the TV made for a much more flexible display. Sony went on record to say that, “it could be used to wrap around a lamppost, or a person’s wrist, or put up in someone’s house like wallpaper.” This could lead to video labels on cereal boxes, or tuna fish cans and even T-shirts with personal video displays scrolling up and down. The electroluminescent display technology is a new entry into the current playing field of TV technologies, LCD and Plasma.
    Now Sony is releasing the new technology in the U.S. next year, in the form of a XEL-1 OLED TV. Which unlike a Plasma doesn’t use a backlight to illuminate the picture from behind. A OLED panel illuminates itself. Which gives the XEL-1 OLED TV the option of being much thinner. Who knows what the future will hold, but I feel like I’m ready to dress up in a suit & tie… and TV!  
    For more information, Sony has provided a press release
    Read the rest of this entry »

Sony Announces HDR-FX1000 and HVR-Z5U HDV Camcorders

by cfulton | September 10th, 2008

Z5uReprinted from a Sony press release:

Sony is expanding its industry leading line-up of high-definition video products with two new HDV™ cameras designed to meet the needs of professionals and prosumers.

With the HDR-FX1000 Handycam® camcorder, more adept consumer videographers gain access to cinematic features, including 24P scanning and advanced color settings for around $3,200. With the HVR-Z5U camcorder, professionals will appreciate its native 24P recording and other professional features—all for less than $5,000—as well as tapeless recording capability through an optional CompactFlash™ adapter.

“The HDR-FX1000 is appealing to the amateur videographer shooting weddings or the aspiring cinematographer,” said Kelly Davis, director of camcorder marketing at Sony Electronics. “The combination of film-like movie quality and advanced color settings makes it possible for prosumers to achieve the deep cinematic look they crave at a reasonable price.”

Read the rest of this entry »