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Tag: high-resolution

  • Sony Launches Flagship HD Handycam


    Sony has announced two new flash memory-based high definition camcorders – the HDR-CX520V and the HDR-CX500V.

    Both cameras capture full 1920 x 1080 resolution video and up to 12 megapixel photos on internal flash memory.

    They offer support for up to 25 hours of HD video on the 64GB model.

    Among the features of both cameras are the ability to output 60p video – automatically converting convert to 60 frames per second on compatible HDTV sets.

    The camcorder’s Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode now comes with three way Shake Canceling.

    This reduces camera/hand shake in three different directions – the vertical and horizontal shake is corrected by optical image stabilization system while the lateral roll shake is now corrected by electronic image stabilization.

    There’s also the BIONZ imaging processor which now adds a Face Touch function. With Face Touch, users simply select a person to be prioritized by the camcorder simply by touching a detected face on the screen.

    Once a face is selected, the camcorder prioritizes and optimizes focus, skin color, and brightness for that selected individual.

    Other features include:

    • Back illuminated "Exmor R" CMOS sensor with twice the sensitivity of current front-illuminated CMOS sensor at F2.0
    • Built-in GPS antenna and NAVTEQ digital maps can geo-tag your videos and photos
    • Supports optional DVDirect Express DVD writer
    • Built-in zoom microphone with Dolby Digital 5.1 channel surround sound
    • Instant power-on feature when the LCD is opened
    • User interface comes with new operation bar for scroll searching of all menu items and a customizable shortcut menu
    • Highlight Scenario which saves up to 8 highlight scenes for viewing again later on
    • Record content onto optional Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX media

    The HDR-CX500V and HDR-CX520V will be available in September for approximately USD $1100 and $1300 respectively.

    The HDR-CX500V comes with 32B of internal flash memory while the HDR-CX520V comes with 64GB of internal flash memory.

  • Seadragon App Is Microsoft's First For iPhone


    Microsoft’s Live Labs has released its first application for the iPhone.

    Seadragon Mobile is an experimental image viewer that aims to make high-resolution images easier to handle on a small screen.

    It allows users to view enormous photo collections and high-resolution imagery using the iPhone’s multi-touch intuitive interface.

    The application provides a Deep Zoom feature to enable smooth image browsing of lots of images as well as simple manipulation of massive, gigapixel images.

    Alex Daley, group product manager for Microsoft Live Labs, said the iPhone had been chosen to launch the app because it is the most widely distributed phone with a graphics processing unit.

    "Most phones out today don’t have accelerated graphics in them," he said. "The iPhone does and so it enabled us to do something that has been previously difficult to do.

    "I couldn’t just pick up a Blackberry or a Nokia off the shelf and build Seadragon for it without GPU support."

    Microsoft’s goal for Seadragon is nothing if not ambitious – essentially it wants to change the way screens are used, be they wall-sized displays or smartphone screens, so that graphics and photos are smoothly browsed, regardless of the amount of data or the bandwidth of the network.

    Seadragon Mobile is available immediately on the iTunes App Store as a free download.

  • Sensor Doubles Camera Phone Low-Light Performance


    Aptina has launched a new sensor for high-end 5-megapixel camera phones that promises to double performance in low-light situations.

    Called the MT9P013 5MP image sensor, it also promises to provide high quality video recording capabilities supporting up to 720p HD video at 60 frames per second and full 5-megapixel resolution video at 15fps.

    To achieve this, the new 1.75-micron pixel, 1/3.2 inch optical format sensor leverages the same light-capturing technology Aptina is integrating into its 1.4-micron image sensors.

    Aptina expects mass production of the MT9P013 to begin at the end of January 2009.

    Other MT9P013 Key Features:

    • high frame rate
    • data output options include a high throughput 2-lane MIPI serial interface capable of 1500 Mbps or greater and a parallel interface with throughput of 96Mb/sec x 12 bits.
    • The output options combined with the sensor’s input clock for the PLL enable users to consider a variety of ISP solutions, including the MT9S311, Aptina’s ISP solution designed specifically for manufacturers integrating Aptina 5MP sensors.

  • Scalado Promises Next Generation Of Mobile Photography


    Shutter lag is one of the biggest gripes about taking photos on a camera phone – especially on higher resolution handsets.

    So it was interesting to hear first hand Scalado’s take on a solution to that particular problem.

    Appropriately called the Scalado Camera Solution, it enables zero-shutter lag, burst capturing and instant zoom/pan in the camera.

    The new technology also promises to improve JPEG image handling performance by effectively managing the large files produced by high-resolution images.

    Smartphone.biz-news was given a glimpse of the product by Mats Jacobson and Sami Niemi, respectively CEO and CTO of Scalado, at the recent Smartphone Show in London.

    Niemi demonstrated the possibilities the technology offers, including snapping three images in a row with no shutter lag and a speedy shot-to-shot time.

    As well as ensuring users don’t miss that "moment", his demo showed the product’s ability to instantly zoom into the resulting JPEG image to review the details of the photo in real-time.

    He said manufacturers would now be able to offer real-time viewing and capturing of high-resolution images, totally eliminating shutter lag.

    "This is the kind of user experience we want – where everything is instant," he said. "You can see all the details and have the shot you wanted. This is the next generation of imaging."

    This is all good news for phone manufactuers especially following research from Strategy Analytics showing that a quality camera is the primary mobile phone add-on for which consumers in the US and Western Europe would be willing to pay – and willing to pay the most – compared to other mobile device features.

    The Scalado Camera Solution is based on two products: the SpeedTags IP and the Scalado Camera Engine.

    The former is a minimal modification to the HW JPEG encoder that enables the encoder to produce modified JPEG images, referred to as SpeedTagged JPEGs.

    Several camera sensors and camera modules for camera phones are already embedding the SpeedTags IP, such as sensors from both Aptina, OmniVision Samsung and MtekVision.

    Jacobson said that as well as addressing the missed shots problem, the Camera Solution dealt with other !! usability problems !! including:

    • slow image browsing
    • slow zooming
    • inability to edit mpx images in full resolution
    • long shot-to-shot times

  • DISH first to broadcast live Blu-ray quality video

    Satellite broadcaster becomes first the TV broadcaster to offer video in a full 1080p resolution

    Subscribers to America’s DISH Network who have its MPEG-4 HD DVR boxes are to be offered full 1080p (1920×1080 progressive) resolution wherever content is available.

    Starting on August 1 with a Video On Demand option for the movie I Am Legend, the new high resolution programming will supercede the 1080i (interlaced) or 720p which until now was usual HD fare for DISH and other services.

    The satellite company claims it is giving subscribers Blu-ray quality images for a lower price than renting a disc.
    It is also launching a new set of channel bundles known as TurboHD that are claimed to be the first in the market to offer customers a package that only contains HD stations.

    Charlie Ergen, CEO of DISH Network, said the upgraded resolution was possible as a result of its new satellite, Echo XI.
    This will also allow the broadcaster to extend its current 114 HD channels to 150 by the autumn.

    He said that by early August, all DISH Network customers with MPEG-4 HD DVR receivers will be able to view 1080p content.

    “This marks the first time in history a pay-TV provider offers movies in 1080p, the highest resolution format available for HD video enthusiasts,” he said.

    “Our latest system upgrade, coupled with the introduction of TurboHD, further strengthens our position as the leader in digital television and high definition television, platforms we look forward to enhancing even more with mobile and portable options.”