Sony Professional announced today the launch of the new NXCAM family brand representing the Professional implementation of AVCHD™ technology. Designed to bring the benefits of seamless and easy-to-use production workflow to professionals and semi professionals, the NXCAM family will be the ideal solution in terms of image quality, usability and price.

AVCHD has been widely and rapidly adopted in the Sony consumer sector of the camcorder market and now, with further developments in non-linear editing tools and IT products, Sony will provide products for the entry-level professional videographer based on this file-based MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 Long-GOP image compression.

... continue reading Sony NXCAM AVCHD Brand introduction

---

ViewSonic has mobilized the HD viewing experience with its new palm-sized VPD400 MovieBook media player. Partnering extensive storage with complete digital content support available and video output performance of up to 720p, the VPD400 is the ideal portable entertainment solution.

The ultra-thin VPD400 features a 4.3-inch, 800×480 high-resolution LCD screen for consumers to enjoy HD movies and video with optional subtitles, share photo albums, read digital books, record voice memos and listen to music while on the go. With 8GB of internal memory, an extendable Micro SD storage slot and a large capacity battery for playing up to 12 hours of audio and up to six hours of video on a single charge, the VPD400 provides a convenient way to consume programming while traveling or relaxing at home.

“Today’s consumers have more gadgets than ever, most dedicated to performing a singular function,” said Jeff Volpe, vice president and general manager of ViewSonic North America. “Our new MovieBook is designed to combine many of these individual devices into one, making digital content portable and user friendly.”

... continue reading ViewSonic VPD400 MovieBook introduction

---

Apple introduced new Apple TV 3.0 software featuring a redesigned main menu that makes navigating your favorite content simpler and faster, and makes enjoying the largest selection of on-demand HD movie rentals and purchases, HD TV shows, music and podcasts from the iTunes® Store even better on your HDTV. You can now enjoy iTunes Extras and iTunes LP in stunning fullscreen with your Apple TV, as well as listen to Genius Mixes and Internet radio through your home theater system. The new Apple TV software is available immediately free of charge to existing Apple TV owners.

“The new software for Apple TV features a simpler and faster interface that gives you instant access to your favorite content,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of Internet Services. “HD movies and HD TV shows from iTunes have been a huge hit with Apple TV customers, and with Apple TV 3.0 they get great new features including iTunes Extras, Genius Mixes and Internet radio.”

... continue reading Apple TV 3.0 introduction

---

Panasonic demonstrates prototype Full HD 1080p 3D televisions and exhibits an expanded range of tru2way solutions, including tru2way-based broadband cable set top-boxes and its tru2way-intergrated consumer VIERA HDTVs at this year’s Cable-Tec Expo®—the cable industry’s engineering show of the year — beginning yesterday through October 30 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.

In addition to the Panasonic booth (#14053), the company’s presence will be supplemented by a Panasonic Full HD 3D Home Theater-equipped tractor trailer exhibit, from its nationwide 3D tour fleet, to demonstrate 3D for show goers. The Full HD 3D system, which will reach the market next year, utilizes 1080p Plasma display technology and a modified Blu-ray Disc player to deliver a truly immersive 1080p Full HD 3D experience of entertainment and other programming in the home.

... continue reading Panasonic shows 3D Home Theater at Cable-TEC Expo

---

Today Microsoft Corp. announced the worldwide availability of its new Windows 7 operating system. Windows 7 delivers on a simple premise: make it easier for people to do the things they want on a PC. The new operating system offers a streamlined user interface and new features that make everyday tasks easier and allow people to get the most out of computers of all styles and sizes.

“With Windows 7, there’s never been a better time to be a PC,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. “Together with our partners, we’re bringing more choice, flexibility and value to the market than ever before. With Windows 7, you’re sure to find a PC that fits your life.”

Building Windows 7 has been a collaborative process from the beginning, with Microsoft’s engineers and designers working with customers and partners to build an operating system that delivers on the vision of the PC, simplified. In a speech in New York, Ballmer thanked the millions of volunteers who helped improve the product by testing early versions.

... continue reading Windows 7 available

---

Sony Professional Europe today announced the latest additions to its XDCAM EX line-up, with a shoulder-mount PMW-350 camcorder and a hand-held PMW-EX1R. These new models combine the HD imaging performance of XDCAM EX with a number of powerful new features, including standard definition DVCAM™ recording1 – the first time this has been available to XDCAM EX users.

The PMW-350 and PMW-EX1R have been designed to widen the appeal of XDCAM EX by offering class leading solid-state performance, with industry-wide native workflow via an established network of alliance partners.

“Since the award-winning PMW-EX1 was first introduced back in 2007, Sony has developed XDCAM EX into a family of products to meet the requirements of a growing number of users” said Bill Drummond, European Product Marketing Manager. “These new camcorders expand solid-state production to new applications and new levels of quality, with improvements made in features, performance, production flexibility and ergonomics.”

... continue reading Sony PMW-350 shoulder-mount camcorder introduction

---

Samsung Electronics America Inc. today announced that Amazon Video On Demand will be available on select Samsung HDTVs via a downloadable widget, offering consumers access to Amazon’s huge selection of over 50,000 titles from leading movie studios and networks. Starting today, owners of Samsung LCD and Plasma HDTVs Series 650 and above and Samsung LED HDTVs Series 7000 and above can download the Amazon Video On Demand widget for free using the Internet@TV - Content Service feature on their HDTVs.

Amazon Video On Demand delivers immediate access to more than 50,000 premium, commercial-free movies and television shows available to rent or purchase on demand. Today’s announcement of Amazon Video On Demand availability adds to Samsung’s existing Internet@TV lineup, which now includes premium services and content from Twitter, Yahoo!, YouTube and others. This will give consumers access to digital movies and TV shows with access to Amazon’s more than 50,000 titles, including over 2,000 HD movies and TV shows

... continue reading Amazon Video on Demand on selected Samsung HDTV models

---

Sanyo today introduces its high-end Dual Cameras, the VPC-HD2000A and the VPC-FH1A, as the world’s first camcorders to offer compatibility with iFrame, a next generation video format designed specifically to allow users to easily import, edit and share high quality videos. SANYO’s Dual Cameras have always been at the forefront for compatibility with computers as well as online applications and networking. The two models announced today feature the iFrame video mode, which records in the same format used to edit on a computer, dramatically speeding up the processes of importing, editing and sharing movies across multiple platforms and devices.

“SANYO is proud to be the first manufacturer to offer camcorders that are compatible with the iFrame video format. This format offers a major breakthrough in reducing the time it takes for consumers to import, edit and share high quality video,” said Tom Van Voy, General Manager of the Consumer Products Group for SANYO North America. “In addition to this new video format, our Dual Cameras also offer the ability to shoot 8-Megapixel photos as well as a number of video modes, including Full HD 1080P/60fps, making them the perfect choice for sharing high quality movies with family and friends, for video bloggers or budding videographers.”

... continue reading Sanyo VPC-HD2000A and VPC-FH1A first camcorders with iFrame

---