Pinnacle Systems, Inc., the consumer division of Avid Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVID), announced the latest releases of Pinnacle Studio MovieBox® Plus and Pinnacle Studio MovieBox Ultimate, enhanced with full versions of Pinnacle Studio™ Plus and Studio Ultimate version 12 consumer video editing software. The powerful combination of Pinnacle Studio™ version 12 software and the MovieBox plug-and-play USB 2.0 video capture device gives consumers an end-to-end solution for capturing, editing, or publishing videos in all of the most popular formats. The proven software/hardware combination also works seamlessly together to preserve the pristine quality of the video from original source through final output.

Designed for Microsoft® Windows® XP and Windows Vista™ systems, Pinnacle Studio MovieBox allows video enthusiasts to capture video from any analog or digital source such as a Hi8 camcorder, VCR, TV, set-top box, DV or HDV camcorder. With AVCHD support, users can also capture video from the latest AVCHD camcorders and edit their content directly in its native format—eliminating the need for time-consuming format conversions. Support for various HD camcorder types includes JVC, Canon, Panasonic, Sanyo and Sony.

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With the introduction of the XD-E500 Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. (“Toshiba”) announced its new video enhancement technology for DVD. Toshiba states that XDE, or “eXtended Detail Enhancement,” is more than just DVD upconversion and takes DVD picture quality to a new level.

In addition to providing upconversion from 480i/p up to 1080p, XDE offers user selectable picture enhancement modes that allow for greater detail, more vivid colors and stronger contrast that bring standard DVD quality closer to the HD experience. XDE technology lets consumers enjoy their existing DVD libraries in a whole new way.

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FUJIFILM U.S.A. Inc. today announced the first model in its digital camera line-up to offer full High-Definition compatibility — the FinePix S2000HD.

Sporting a 10-MegaPixel 1/2.3 inch CCD, a powerful 15x wide-angle optical zoom (27.6mm-414mm equivalent) and an extra large 2.7 inch wide-view LCD, the FinePix S2000HD is perfect for advanced amateur photographers who want an affordable, step-up digital camera that will still fit in the palm of their hand.

HDTV Compatible
With the ability to capture still pictures in 10-MegaPixel resolution, and movies in HD quality 1280×720pixels, in a true widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio, the S2000HD will change the way people think about digital photography. The S2000HD, via a new signal processor, converts still images and movies in-camera into a HDTV signal output compatible with 1080i (interlaced) for still and 720p (progressive) for movies thus allowing the user to realize the full benefits of their home theater system for sharing all their special moments.

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Sony Europe announced the new BRAVIA X4500 and W4500 Full HD LCD series.

“The unique blend of advanced technology and leading design of both the BRAVIA™ X4500 and slim speaker systems, mean that consumers can now view crystal-clear images with atmospheric sound without compromising on the look and feel of their home”, explained George Damigos, General Manager, Marketing, TV Marketing Europe.

“Together with the feature-packed W4500 series, these two new BRAVIA™ ranges represent the absolute pinnacle of Sony innovation in bringing you the best-looking pictures and an unmatched home theatre experience.”

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Canon U.S.A., Inc announces the VIXIA HF11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder, and the VIXIA HG21 and VIXIA HG20 Hard Disk Drive camcorders, providing greater internal storage capacity, enhanced High-Definition image quality and added versatility for preserving life’s most precious moments.

The newest members to the VIXIA HD camcorder family incorporate Canon’s core expertise in optics and image processing, and further raise the bar of High-Definition image quality by offering 24Mbps bit rate recording – the highest possible bit rate in the AVCHD format. The 24Mbps recording provides consumers enhanced detail, finer tonal gradation and improved reproduction of moving subjects.

continue reading Canon VIXIA HF11, HG20 and HG21 announced

Sharp USA is expanding its large-screen SB series of LCD HDTVs. The SB series (LC-52SB55U, LC-46SB54U and LC-42SB45U) provides consumers with affordably-priced Full HD, big-screen options, available in 52- 46-, and 42-inch screen size class units (diagonal 52 1/32″, 45 63/64 and 42 1/64″ respectively), some of the most popular screen sizes today. All three feature Full HD 1080p (1920 x 1080 resolution), and are cased in a glossy piano-black bezel.

“As the demand for high-definition home entertainment continues to rise, we are creating a wide range of reasonably-priced HDTVs that incorporate Sharp’s esteemed picture quality and renowned features,” said Bruce Tripido, associate vice president, marketing, Entertainment Products Division, Sharp.

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The new Sony RHT-G500 BRAVIA™ Theatre ‘invisible home cinema’ products bring all the excitement of great surround sound while keeping the system completely hidden in a TV stand. The new RHT-G500, which fits into the line-up below the existing RHT-G900 and G1500, is designed for use with 32 to 40-inch HDTVs.

All you see is a sleek-looking TV stand, the perfect partner for BRAVIA™ LCD TVs – but thanks to advanced signal processing technology, you also hear remarkable sound effects all around you.

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Sony’s DAV-IS10 revolutionised the way we think about ‘home cinema in a box’, with its gloss-black finish, slick hidden controls and speakers so small they fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. Now Sony has built on that success with the launch of three new ‘IS’ systems.

DAV-IS50: The full cinema experience made easier than ever
The DAV-IS50 is a sleek and compact home theatre system, yet capable of amazing levels of performance, with a total of 450Watts of power to fill even large rooms with breathtaking surround sound. Its gloss-black control centre combines a slot-loading DVD/CD/MP3 player with surround-sound processing and an RDS FM/AM radio tuner, in a unit just 21cm wide and a little over 10 cm tall. Hidden touch-sensor controls spring to life on the top panel when your hand moves to operate them, enhancing the unit’s uncluttered and elegant design.

continue reading Sony DAV-IS50, HTD-890IS and HT-IS100 introduction