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.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Samsung HMX-U10, Digital Camcorder

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).

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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,

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

[Check it out]

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 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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Here is the new Samsung SMX-F34 – billed as the “company’s next generation YouTube compatible compact digital camcorder.” Features of the SMX-F34 include:

• Battery life up to 3 hours
• World-class Schneider optics
• 16GB internal flash memory
• Digital still photo capability
• Samsung’s 42x Intelli-Zoom – goes beyond the 34x optical zoom without sacrificing image quality
• SD/SDHC memory card slot
• H.264 compression provides 8 hours of standard definition video
• 720 x 480 resolution
• Web and mobile shooting mode allows you to record in the exact format and resolution for YouTube for faster upload times to the web
• Capture stills in 800 x 600 resolution

The SMX-F34 will be available in four colors – midnight black, sunset red, galaxy silver, and deep ocean blue- all with a silver trim. The camcorder will be available this spring.

Technorati Tags: Samsung, SMX-F34, Camcorder, YouTube, CES 2009

Samsung introduced their new H-Series line of full HD digital camcorders at CES 2009 comprised of four new models – three of which feature internal solid state drives – making these camcorders the world’s first to feature a solid state drive (SSD) instead of a traditional hard drive. Models HMX-H106, HMX-H105, and HMX-H104 all feature the SSD. Model HMX-H100 lacks the internal SSD but instead features an SD/SDHC memory card slot.

Here are pictures of the HMX-H106:

HMX-H106 is the flagship model of the new H-Series featuring a 64GB solid state drive on the inside. Samsung claims their SSDs consume approximately 1/8th the power of a comparable traditional hard drive (2.5 inch 5400RPM drive). HMX-H105 and HMX-H104 come with a 32GB and 16GB SSD respectively. All three SSD models also feature a media card slot for SD/SDHC memory cards.

All four models utilize H.264 compression which translates to approximately 3 hours of full HD video on the 16GB HMX-H104, 6 hours on the 32GB HMX-H105, and 12 hours on the HMX-H106.

Other common specs include:

• 1/4.5”, 2.2 mega-pixel CMOS imaging sensor
• 10x optical zoom
• High-quality Schneider Kreuznach Varioplan HD lens
• Optical Image Stabilization
• Capture 4.7 megapixel stills
• 2.7 inch touch-screen LCD

The HMX-H106 will be available in April while the HMX-H105 and HMX-H104 will be available in March.

Here is the HMX-H105/HMX-H104:

Here is the HMX-H100:

Technorati Tags: Samsung, H-Series, HMX-H106, HMX-H105, HMX-H104, HMX-H100, Digital Camcorder, HD Camcorder, SSD, CES 2009

Vivitar V8400P Underwater digital camera

• 8.1 megapixel resolution
• Waterproof at depths up to 30 feet
• 8x digital zoom
• 2.4 inch LCD
• 32 internal memory
• SD memory card
• Shockproof
• MSRP of $129.95

Vivitar DVR840XHD Camcorder

• 5 megapixel video camera
• 5x optical zoom
• 3 inch TFT display
• Weighs 14 oz
• SD memory card
• Image stabilization
• MP3/MP4 player
• Voice recorder
• MSRP of $249.95

Vivitar V8025 Digital Camera

• 8 megapixel touch-screen camera
• 8x digital zoom
• 2.4 inch LCD
• super-slim design
• SD memory card
• Measures 3 x 2.25 x 0.5 inches
• Image stabilization
• Face/smile detection
• Pictbridge ready
• MSRP of $99

Stay tuned for pictures at CES 2009

Technorati Tags: Sakar International, Vivitar, Vivitar V8400P Underwater 8.1MP Digital Camera, Vivitar DVR840XHD Camcorder, Vivitar V8025 Digital Camera

PC World rated the camcorder an 89 out of 100 (calling it “video good”) and had this to say:

“The Vado HD is a pretty slick package. It lacks the sex appeal of some other camcorders in its class, such as the Flip Mino series, and it lacks a Mac-compatible video-management app. Nevertheless, good overall image quality, a user-replaceable battery, and other niceties make the Vado HD an attention-worthy option for a pocketable HD camcorder.”

Not too bad.. but what did CNET think of the camcorder?

“The Creative Vado HD may fall slightly short of the Flip Video Mino HD in terms of video quality, but it’s stronger feature set may tempt you.”

So what does this all mean for me? At $199.99, it’s definitely hard to pass up. If only the Vado had a built-in memory card reader.. but then again, the 8GB storage space isn’t too bad either. Just make sure you have a netbook lying around to upload videos to!

Well, I’ll make my decisions soon I suppose!

Technorati Tags: Creative Vado HD Pocket Video Camcorder, PC World, CNET, Review

The Creative Vado HD Pocket Video Cam is now available for pre-order at Creative’s website for $199 dollars. The Vado HD measures a mere 3.9 x 2.2 x 0.6 inches and weighs 100 grams with the battery – certainly small enough to carry in your pocket or hold in the palm of your hand. Features of the Creative Vado HD include:

• Capture video in 720p (1280 x 720)
• Start and stop recording at the touch of a button
• Flexible USB tab
• Included HDMI cable allows you to connect the Vado HD to an HDTV
• H.264 video compression
• 2 inch antiglare screen with 640 x 240 resolution
• 2x digital zoom
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery – rechargeable via USB
• 8GB of memory
• 2 hours of HD+ quality; 4 hours of HD quality, and 8 hours of VGA quality
• Built-in speaker and microphone
• Built-in software
• 2 hour battery life

No word on when Creative will ship the Vado HD.

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Technorati Tags: Creative Vado HD Pocket Video Cam

To help drive sales for the Hitachi DZ-BD10HA Blu-ray camcorder, Hitachi has announced a new direct sales website at www.hitachibd.com. Launched today, the website will allow consumers to purchase the camcorder which sells for $1099. The website also features information to help educate consumers about Blu-ray as well as interactive guides that demo the features of the Hitachi DZ-BD10HA.

The Full 1080p capable DZ-BD10HA was launched back in September and features a 7 megapixel CMOS image sensor, optical image stabilization technologies, face detection technology, a built-in 30GB hard drive, and support for recording HD video to three separate formats (Blu-ray Disc, Hard Drive, and SDHC cards).

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Hitachi DZ-BD10HA Blu-ray camcorder

• Canon 20x HD video lens offers manual zoom and focus. It can operate simultaneously in manual or autofocus mode
• Three independent manual adjustment rings – focus, zoom, and iris – have been redesigned for easy access and comfortable operation
• Three sensitivity settings for manual focus ring
• Normal, fast, and slow zoom speeds
• Canon SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) system
• Customizable “operational feeling” of the camcorder
• Video can be captured and output in multiple frame rates including 60i for mainstream production; 30F for perfect frame grabs or Web delivery; and 24F for emulating the look of motion-picture film – The camcorders can be switched in all frame rates between 1080-line 16:9 aspect ratio HD video and 480-line 4:3 aspect ratio SD video (or 576 lines in 50i or 25F mode).
• Total Image Control for customizing image and color settings – with a total of 23 custom presets available
• Wide array of camera functions and operational settings available to user
• Audio refinements include: two-channel audio performance; two built-in XLR terminals with separate audio-input sensitivity settings; the ability to simultaneously record sound from the supplied internal microphone and an external microphone; line output level switching; an audio (manual) limiter and a new metal headphone jack for reliable connectivity

Features exclusive to the XH G1S HD camcorder include:

• HD-SDI/SD-SDI Output, SMPTE Timecode Input/Output, and Genlock Input
• The model adds flags when in 24F frame rate mode which allow compatible hardware or software to locate the frames needed for removal during professional editing, resulting in native 24F video.

Other features of the XH G1S include:

• Three 1/3 inch native 16:9 CCD image sensors with 1.67 megapixels
• DIGIC DV II HD Image Processor
• SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer

The Canon XH A1S and XH G1S HD camcorders are scheduled to be available in late December for an estimated retail price of $3,999 and $6,999, respectively.

Here is the Canon XH A1S

Here is the Canon XH G1S

Technorati Tags: Canon XH A1S, XH G1S HD Camcorders

Hitachi Home Electronics has introduced a new next-generation Blu-ray Disc Hybrid Camcorder called the DZ-BD10HA which seemingly has all the different storage options covered. First off, the DZ-BD10HA has a built-in 30GB HDD which allows you to record up to 4 hours, 20 minutes of full HD video or 8 hours, 40 minutes of 1440 x 1080 video. If you run out of disk space, you can also record videos or still images directly to SD/SDHC flash memory cards via the built-in SDHC card slot. Nice huh? But wait.. there’s more. Hitachi offers yet a third solution – the ability to transfer full HD video recordings from the hard drive or SDHC card to the built-in BD drive – and all this without the need for a computer. The DZ-BD10HA includes editing functions such as splitting, splicing, deleting, merging, and transitions. There’s even a transcoding feature which coverts full HD videos to DVD quality videos. Very Nice.

Other features of the Hitachi DZ-BD10HA include:

• 7 megapixel CMOS image sensor
• Capture videos and image stills at Full HD (1920 x 1080)
• Face detection technology
• Hitachi developed compact, low power consuming, quiet, and reliable 8cm BD/DVD drive
• One-touch dubbing – transfer HD videos from SDHC or HDD to BD drive at one push of a button
• Optical Image Stabilization

The Hitach DZ-BD10HA will have an MSRP of $999 and is available in Japan now and will be hitting the US shores in Sept.

Technorati Tags: Hitachi, DZ-BD10HA Blu-ray Disc Hybrid Camcorder

Samsung is launching the SC-MX20 digital memory camcorder this month – the first camcorder to use the H.264 codec on standard definition video capture. The camcorder has a Schneider lens with 34x optical zoom, image stabilization and face detection technologies, and a three hour battery life. The MX20 is capable of recording up to 16 hours of video on a 32 GB memory card.

The Samsung MX20 has the following specs:

• Supports SD/SDHC memory cards
• 680K image sensor
• 34x optical zoom, 1200x digital zoom Schneider lens
• 2.7 inch color LCD
• Video recording in H.264 BP with a resolution of 720 x 480/60i
• Auto and manual focus support
• Back light compensation
• 3 LUX
• Hyper D.I.S. image stabilizer
• 2 channel audio recording
• Speaker
• Microphone
• USB 2.0 support
• Composite video connector
• Measures 4.9 x 2.6 x 2.4 inches and weighs 0.6 lbs

The MX20 will be available in three colors – red, blue, and white.

[Check it out]

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Here are pictures of the VIXIA HF11:

Here are pictures of the VIXIA HG21:

And finally, here are pictures of the VIXIA HG20:

All three VIXIA camcorders feature the following:

• Canon HD Video Lens
• Canon HD CMOS Image Sensor for Full HD (1920 x 1080)
• DIGIC DV II Image Processor
• Instant AutoFocus
• SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization to handle camcorder vibration and image shake

All three HD camcorders will be available in September with the VIXIA HF11 having an MSRP of $1199, the VIXIA HG21 an MSRP of $1299, and the VIXIA HG20 an MSRP of $949. All the camcorders come with Pixela ImageMixer 3SE video editing software which has the ability to create Blu-ray discs.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Canon, VIXIA HF11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder, VIXIA HG21 Hard Disk Drive Camcorder, VIXIA HG20 Hard Disk Camcorder, HD Camcorders