If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be in a firefight then you’ll want to check out the above video clip from MSNBC.com. The MSNBC report, which aired back on June 29th provided a unique perspective to an intense gun battle between American soldiers and Taliban fighters in Afghanistan.

Two cameras were in use that day – one from MSNBC and one on top of a soldiers helmet. Known as the V.I.O. POV.T camera (point of view), this helmet-mounted camera provided a unique first-person perspective to action that most of us will probably never witness in our lifetime. 

Luckily no one was hurt in the hour-long gun battle.

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Technorati Tags: VIO POV.T gunfight, Afghanistan

The Samsung HMX-U10 is the latest portable digital camcorder to hit the market featuring full HD video recording and 10 megapixel digital stills. Features and specs include:

• One touch upload to YouTube
• 1920 x 1080 video recording
• 1/2.3 inch CMOS sensor
• 2 inch LCD display
• Measures 56 x 103 x 15.5 mm
• Weighs 95 grams

No word on pricing or availability but we’re hoping it’s not more than say $200 dollars.

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Technorati Tags: Samsung HMX-U10, Digital Camcorder

For all the slack that I’ve given to the iPhone 3G S, one of the nicer “features” of the new phone is the upgraded camera on the device – providing a boost in picture quality as well as the capability of recording video for the first time on the platform. Certainly not a great thing for low-end camcorder manufacturers but luckily on so many people will have the iPhone 3G S right?

Not so fast folks. According to TechCrunch sources, Apple has placed an order for a “massive number of camera modules” and based on the size of the order, it can really mean only one thing. A camera is coming to the iPod touch.

Imagine for a second – a camera found on every single new iPod touch sold around the world – each capable of taking respectable stills and video clips. Yes.. who would need a Flip Video or Kodak Pocket Camcorder after an iPod touch is in your pocket? It’s a small subtle enhancement but one that could easily spell trouble to the low-end camcorder industry.

Evil.. (and delicious at the same time).

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Apple, ipod touch, camera

Now here’s a pretty cool new gadget. It’s the newly announced JVC Everio GZ-X900 (or Everio X for short) “dual-use camera” – capable of shooting both high definition video and high resolution digital still images. This lightweight, compact camera is capable of capturing 9 megapixel digital stills as well as near Full HD AVCHD video. Although it’s not entirely evident in these product images here, the Everio X is indeed a compact camera – capable of fitting into your shift pocket and weighing around 0.66 pounds.

Features of the GZ-X900 include:

• 10.3 megapixel CMOS sensor
• Shoots 9 megapixel stills (no interpolation) and Full HD video with 1000 TV lines of horizontal resolution (ok so it’s not exactly 1920 x 1080)
• 10x slow motion shooting plays back 2.4 seconds of recorded video over the span of 24 seconds
• Shoot at 3 ultra-high speeds – 120 frames per second, 300 frames per second, or 600 frames per second – the faster the speed, the slower the playback motion. At 600 fps, the resolution is 640 x 72.
• Up to six 9 megapixel stills can be shot at 15 images per second
• Shoot 5 megapixel digital stills while simultaneously recording Full HD video. Photos can be shot at shutter speeds as fast as 1/4000 second without interrupting video recording
• JVC’s new proprietary optical image stabilization (OIS) technology
• KONICA MINOLTA HD LENS with 5x optical zoom
• JVC HD Gigabrid Premium image processing engine
• Face Detection Technology
• HDMI 1.3 with x.v.Color
• Records video and digital stills to SDHC memory cards
• Approximately the size of a “chunky smartphone”
• Top-mounted zoom and record buttons with a second set next to the LCD screen
• Camera is black with silver accents with the right side featuring a textured carbon fiber-like finish for a secure grip
• Measures 2.6 x 4.88 x 1.46 inches

All this coolness does come at a price. The JVC Everio GZ-X900 will be coming out in June for a price of $999.95.

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Technorati Tags: JVC Everio GZ-X900, JVC Everio X,

JVC unveiled their 2009 Everio camcorder lineup today – introducing a collection of high definition and standard definition camcorders available in a variety of storage mediums, colors, and capabilities. On the storage front, there are models that support recording to hard drives, recording to dual memory cards (SD cards), and recording to internal flash memory.

One prevalent feature found across all the new 2009 Everio models is the notion of “One Touch” sharing. All models come with a One Touch Export function via a Windows application which makes it easy to export videos directly into your iTunes library – thereby making the content available on your iPod or iPhone. The new models also support One Touch Uploading for easy uploading to YouTube and One Touch DVD Creation for easy burning of content direct to DVD.

Other common features found in all 2009 Everio models include the following:

• Everio MediaBrowser software for easy to search calendar-type GUI for indexing and searching of videos
• Digest Playback – automatically selects highlighted scenes from among the recorded content using proprietary algorithm and plays back content similar to a “coming attractions” movie trailer
• Updated Laser Touch Operation
• Opening LCD monitor automatically opens up the built-in lens cover and powers up the camcorder
• Closing the monitor closes the lens cover and shuts down the power
• Quick Restart feature allows you to record in about one second after the LCD is reopened
• New design for easy and elegant shooting

The new 2009 Everio lineup consists of three Full HD models, three standard definition Everio G series models, and two standard definition Everio S series of memory camcorders. With that said, here’s what you need to know about the new models.

High Definition Everio Camcorders

All the 2009 HD Everios feature:

• 1/4.1-inch 3.05 megapixel CMOS image sensor
• Full HD recording (1920 x 1080p 60 fps progressive signal)
• GENESSA processing technology
• HDMI v.1.3 with x.v.Color
• KONICA MINOLTA HD Lens – developed specifically for Everio
• 20x high optical zoom lens
• New AVCHD UXP mode supports up to 24Mbps for detailed images. This mode is ideal for Blu-ray or external hard drive recording

The three full HD Everio models are as follows:

Everio GZ-HM200

• SD/SDHC Card Dual Slot
• Available in Onyx Black, Sapphire Blue, Garnet Red

Everio GZ-HD300

• 60GB Hard Disk Drive/microSD/SDHC Card
• Available in Onyx Black, Sapphire Blue, Ruby Red

Everio GZ-HD320

• 120GB Hard Disk Drive/microSD/SDHC Card
• Available in Onyx Black

Standard Definition Everio Camcorders

For the SD front, JVC unveiled a total of five camcorders – three for the G Series and two for the S Series. Here’s the basics.

Everio G Series Camcorders

All three new models feature:

• Hard Disk based camcorders
• 1/6-inch 800,000-pixel CCD image sensor
• KONICA MINOLTA LENS with a 40x dynamic zoom and 800x digital zoom

The three G Series models are:

GZ-MG630

• 60GB Hard Disk Drive/microSD/SDHC Card
• Available in Diamond Silver, Sapphire Blue, Ruby Red

GZ-MG670

• 80GB Hard Disk Drive/microSD/SDHC Card
• HD upconversion converts SD recording to output at 1920 x 1080 via HDMI mini terminal
• Available in Onyx Black

GZ-MG680

• 120GB Hard Disk Drive/microSD/SDHC Card
• HD upconversion converts SD recording to output at 1920 x 1080 via HDMI mini terminal
• Available in Onyx Black

Finally, we have two new Everio S Series memory camcorders. Both models are dual storage memory models. The GZ-MS120 has a pair of SD/SDHC card slots while the GZ-MS130 offers a single SD/SDHC card slot and 16GB of internal flash memory. Both models support continuous recording – allowing you to swap out a card while the other storage medium is being used for recording.

The two models are:

GZ-MS120

• SD/SDHC Card Dual Slot
• Available in Onyx Black, Sapphire Blue, Garnet Red

GZ-MS130

• SD/SDHC Card/16GB Internal Memory
• Available in Onyx Black

OK so what about pricing and availability? Here ya go.

• GZ-MS120 February $299.95
• GZ-MS130 February $349.95
• GZ-MG630 January $429.95
• GZ-MG670 January $479.95
• GZ-MG680 February $549.95
• GZ-HM200 March $579.95
• GZ-HD300 February $699.95
• GZ-HD320 February $799.95

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Technorati Tags: JVC, Everio 2009 Camcorders

Looking for a rugged digital video camera that you can use in whatever condition possible? Check out the new Oregon Scientific ATC5K Action Camera – a shock resistant, water-resistant, all-terrain, hands-free digital video camera that can be attached to your helmet, your arm, your leg, a bike – you name it. You can record video at VGA resolutions onto either the 32MB of internal memory or on an SD memory card (the camera supports up to 4GB SD cards).

Other features of the ATC5K Action Camera include:

• Plug it into a television to view videos
• Download videos to your PC in AVI format
• Captures still images
• Waterproof up to 10 feet
• 53 degree field of view
• 1.5 inch color LCD TFT
• Remote control
• Hands-free digital video and audio capture
• USB and RCA cables included
• Requires 2AA batteries

The ATC5K has an MSRP of $249.99 but is available now at the Oregon Scientific website for $219.99.

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Technorati Tags: Oregon Scientific ATC5K Action Camera

JVC announced their latest professional camcorder product yesterday in the form of the GY-HM700. The new camcorder records videos directly onto inexpensive SDHC memory cards in QuickTime format – making it ideal for usage with Apple’s Final Cut Pro application. This translates to faster post-production simply because there’s no need to convert or rewrap video files prior to editing.

Features of the GY-HM700 include:

• Comes with two memory card slots for a total of 64GB of on-board storage. Camera round-robins the memory cards while recording video allowing for virtually unlimited recording lengths
• Optional KA-MR100 dockable media recorder allows recording of Sony XDCAM EX compatible MP4 files onto high speed SxS memory cards
• Three 1/3 inch progressive scan full HD CCDs
• Proprietary MPEG2 encoder for highly efficient compression at bit rates up to 32Mbps.
• Supports all major HD signal formats including 1920 x 1080, 1440 x 1080, and 1280 x 720
• Rugged high resolution viewfinder with 0.45 inch 1.22 million pixel LCOS panel (852 x 480 x 3)
• Die-cast aluminum chassis and LED light source
• 4.3 inch flip out LCD monitor
• Weighs 8 lbs including lens, viewfinder, microphone, and battery
• Record two channels of uncompressed LPCM 16 bit audio at 48Khz
• HD/SD SDI, Component, Composite and simultaneous DV/HDV IEEE-1394 outputs

Check out additional information on the GY-HM700 here. The GY-HM700 will be available in March for a price of $7995.

Technorati Tags: JVC GY-HM700 Camcorder, Quicktime

Sony’s new LocationPorter device allows users to wirelessly stream video feeds from a device such as a camcorder to a remote location using the Internet as a transport medium.Strap the LocationPorter around your shoulder and connect to the Internet via LAN or a 3G connection. The video feed will then be encoded in H.264 MPEG-4 format and streamed over the net to the remote destination.

According to OhGizmo, a single 3G connection will allow the LocationPorter to stream video at 352 x 240 with a frame rate of 5 to 15 fps (64 to 160kbps). You can even connect a second 3G connection which will increase the video quality to 320kbps. Connect the LocationPorter to  LAN connection and the video will be streamed at upwards of 30 fps.

With the LocationPorter device strapped on your shoulder, you’ll never need something like the “Eyewitness News Van” to report in from the field. Heck.. one of these would have been handy for covering CES 2009.

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Technorati Tags: Sony LocationPorter, Wireless Video Transmitter

If you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day gift for your loved one, then you might be interested in this Amazon.com deal for a pink Creative Vado Pocket Video Camcorder for $59.99.

If you’re not familiar with the Vado – it’s basically a small portable video camcorder capable of capturing VGA quality video. Simply put – it’s Creative’s answer to the popular Flip video camcorder. While there is a newer HD version of the Vado, this deal is NOT for that camcorder.

There’s 2GB of flash memory, a built-in speaker and microphone, and a small 2 inch 640 x 240 resolution display. When you’re ready to upload your captured video, simply connect the Vado to your PC via the flip out USB connector. Expect one hour for high quality video capture and two hours for good quality video.

The $59.99 deal is for the pink version of the Vado while the silver version is available for $69.99.

[Check it out via  News.com]

Technorati Tags: Creative, Vado Pocket Video Camcorder, Pink Vado, Amazon.com deal

Finally, we have the new Samsung HMX-R10 CMOS-based full HD digital camcorder. This funky looking digital camcorder can not only record video at full HD resolutions but it can also capture 9 megapixel digital stills.

Speaking of the funky design, Samsung claims the unique form factor allows for a more comfortable user experience. The lens is angled at 25 degrees which allows the user to grip the camcorder in a more relaxed manner.

Here are the important specs for the HMX-R10:

• 5x optical zoom lens
• Swivel 2.7 inch touch-screen LCD
• 1/2.33” 9 Mega-Pixel CMOS
• SD/SDMC memory card slot
• HDMI, component, composite port

The HMX-R10 will be available this summer.

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