Colour Confidence Press Release

Birmingham UK, 21st March, 2006 - Colour Confidence, the leading independent colour management specialists, have today announced they are to be the exclusive UK distributors for the new ColorVision family of products ? all of which will be shipping by the end of March and available from www.colourconfidence.com . “The new Spyder2express is a genuinely exciting product ? to have Spyder2 technology at this price point represents a significant development for the colour management industry”, commented Geoffrey Clements, Managing Director, Colour Confidence. “The update to Spyder2 Suite and Spyder2 PRO gives many users the chance to evaluate the benefits of printer profiling and I expect these products to be a driver for the rest of the market.”

InfoTrends Press Release

Maturing Digital Camera Market Expected to Show Growth in New Worldwide Regions

(Weymouth, MA) March, 20 2006… According to a new study from InfoTrends, the worldwide digital camera market continues to demonstrate a strong year-over-year unit growth rate. 2006 sales are expected to reach nearly 89 million units, representing a 15% increase over 2005. Even though worldwide unit and revenue figures are on the rise, shipments are expected to peak soon in North America and Western Europe. Growth in the Asia-Pacific region, Eastern Europe, and Latin America will offset these declines and continue to drive growth through 2010. In fact, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to become the leading region for digital cameras by the end of the forecast period.

Transcend Press Release

Transcend launches its New State-of-the-Art Portable Data Management System, the StoreJet OTG (On-The-Go)

Transcend Information, Inc.  is extremely proud to announce the release of our New multifunctional portable Hard Disk Drive solution, which gives users all the convenience of being able to Transfer, Backup, Store and Manage their data, Anytime, Anywhere. The StoreJet OTG (On-The-Go) is the ultimate portable storage device, which can accept the direct input of data and information from Smart Phones, PDAs, Pocket PCs, USB Flash Drives, Digital Cameras, MP3 Players, MultiCard Readers, or any USB enabled digital device and all without the need for a computer. Fitting in the palm of your hand, the StoreJet OTG’s bright, color OLED display lets you easily manage your data and the unit’s massive 30GBs of storage capacity is more than enough for all your travel needs.

Sony Press Release

LAS VEGAS, March 16, 2006 - Adding to its removable hard disk drive lineup for the digital photography market, Sony Electronics today unveiled the Compact Vault™ 8GB drive. The new drive is compatible with Compact Flash type II slots, and provides a significant increase in data storage over the current 5GB version. An ideal companion to high-end digital cameras, the new drive’s 8GB capacity holds up to 2,560 JPEG images (at 3MB each) or 320 minutes of MPEG4 video, and has transfer speeds of up to 12MB per second. Measuring just over 1 ½ inches wide and less than 1 ½ inches high, the hard disk drive is designed for photo enthusiasts and so-called prosumers.

Epson Japan has unveiled the Epson R-D1s, an updated version of the Epson R-D1 digital rangefinder camera. The new RD1s offers the same 6 megapixel APS-C sensor and support for Leica lenses as the original R-D1. New features on the RD1s include the addition of Adobe RGB colourspace, noise reduction for long exposures, RAW + JPEG support and Print Image Control support. You can also adjust various image settings such as contrast and sharpness. The new Epson R-D1s will be available in Japan at the end of March - more news on global pricing and availability as we get it.

Epson Japan has announced the new Epson P-4500 Photo Fine Player, hot on the heels of the P-4000 which was introduced at the end of 2005. The Epson P4500 photo storage device shares exactly the same 3.8 inch screen and 80Gb hard drive as the P4000. Support for RAW files up to 30 megapixels in size and more RAW and video formats are the main additions to the P-4500. More details on global availability and pricing of the Epson P4500 will follow as we get them.

PCMagazine have just reviewed the new 80Gb Epson P-4000 photo viewer.

“The Epson P-4000 is the latest version of Epson’s hard drive–based photo viewer/media player. Although the only truly significant change from the Epson P-2000 is a larger hard drive—the P-4000 holds 80GB of photos, video, and audio—we decided to take it for a test run and compare it with many of the other popular portable media players that have been released in the market since the P-2000 came out. Overall, the P-4000 is still the hands-down winner on screen quality (thanks to its ultragorgeous 3.8-inch LCD).”

Website: PCMagazine - Epson P-4000 Review

a href=“http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=1132”>Latest Prices / User Reviews

Texas Instruments Press Release

New Processor Allows OEMs to Rapidly Process High-Quality Images and Shoot High-Definition Video

Giving digital still camera (DSC) manufacturers the benefits of full software programmability with the performance of hard-wired solutions, Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE:TXN) today introduced DaVinci technology optimized for the digital still camera market. The technology includes a new highly flexible processor, a software suite that simulates a full digital still camera system and third parties offering camera-specific algorithms. For more information, please see: www.ti.com/dscinfo. “Offering DaVinci technology specifically for the digital still camera market underscores our efforts to be more than a chip provider and shows our commitment to this space,” said Kanika Ferrell, U.S. marketing manager, digital camera solutions group, TI. “We understand that manufacturers need a partner who is familiar with the entire camera. In fact, TI has a team that built an entire camera system from the ground up allowing us to fully understand the challenges and develop solutions based on this information.”

PMA 2006: Also under glass at PMA is the prototype of Pentax’s 18 megapixel 645 medium format digital SLR.

Update 28th February 2006: Pentax kindly took the glass domes off their display booths. There are now some better shots of the new prototypes at the end of this article.

Hasselblad Press Release

Hasselblad Celebrates Centenary of Founder’s Birth with Launch of Limited Edition Hasselblad 503CWD Digital Camera

In recognition of the centenary of Victor Hasselblad’s birth on March 8, 2006, Hasselblad today unveiled the Hasselblad 503CWD Anniversary Kit, a prestigious high-end photographic system that offers state-of-the-art digital capture technology elegantly integrated with a classically designed Hasselblad 503CW body. Combining the rugged reliability of the black and chrome V System body, with its range of high performance, central shutter-based lenses, and the technology of Hasselblad’s new CFV digital back, the exclusive Hasselblad 503CWD perfectly melds the heritage of the old Hasselblad with the focus of the new Hasselblad on digital high-end photography to create a new digital workhorse. Of undoubted appeal to the Hasselblad connoisseur, the camera delivers the perfect blend of versatility and simplicity in a compact, professional tool that gives the user complete control over digital image capture and is a pleasure to operate.

PMA 2006: FotoNation Press Release

FotoNation, Slyde, and Wisair Demonstrate Embedded Wireless USB Camera at PMA

ORLANDO, FL – February 27, 2006 – FotoNation Inc. (www.fotonation.com), one of the world’s leading imaging and connectivity solutions companies for the digital photography industry, announced today that it has won the DIMA Innovative Digital Product Award for their Ultra-Wideband (UWB) In-Camera Module. The UWB module, the first wireless USB solution embedded into a camera, was co-developed by FotoNation, Wisair, a leading provider of UWB and Certified Wireless USB (WUSB) chipset solutions, and Slyde Technologies, a wireless conversion solution provider for the digital photography and video markets. FotoNation will be demonstrating the product for the first time at the PMA Conference in Orlando, FL. Through this innovative technology, digital stills and video images can be wirelessly transferred between cameras and PCs.

PMA 2006: Lexar Press Release

Lexar Doubles the Performance of Its Popular 8GB CompactFlash Memory Card - High-Capacity Card Is Ideal For Both Professional And Advanced Amateurs Capturing High Resolution Images In RAW Format

ORLANDO, Fl., February 27, 2006 – Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a world leader in advanced digital media technologies, today announced that it has doubled the speed rating of its popular Professional 8GB CompactFlash® memory card to 90X. Furthering the company’s lengthy heritage in delivering cards with market-leading performance, the new 8GB card is one of the fastest high-capacity CompactFlash cards available. On display at the Photo Marketing Association International (PMA) show, Lexar’s new card is capable of a minimum sustained data write speed of 13.5 MB per second. In addition to increased speed and performance, the new high-speed card will be available in CompactFlash Type I flash memory card format, the most popular format for today’s SLR digital cameras.

PMA 2006: Lexar Press Release

Lexar LockTight Available In New Formats and Additional Languages

ORLANDO, Fl., February 27, 2006 – Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: LEXR), a world leader in advanced digital media technologies, today announced that its unique LockTight™ system is being localized and will be available to a greater number of security-conscious photographers worldwide. The LockTight System, on display this week at the Photo Marketing Association International Show (PMA), is a valuable tool for photographers in fields such as forensic photography, scientific research, military, law enforcement and mass media. The LockTight System will also be available in the popular Secure Digital (SD) format, and due to worldwide interest, is being localized in French, German, Japanese and Spanish. “Our goal is to continue to make it easy to incorporate card-level security into the professional workflow of photographers using the industry leading formats, secure digital and compact flash, anywhere in the world,” said John Omvik, director of professional product marketing, Lexar. “Like many law enforcement agencies working with the LockTight system, photographers in other vertical markets can incorporate it into their working process to experience the valuable peace of mind in knowing that their stored images and information are safe.”

PMA 2006: Sony USA Press Release

ORLANDO, Fla. (PMA, Booth #4150), Feb. 25, 2006- Sony Electronics is transforming static, digital images into a rich audio visual experience with the world’s first dedicated photo storage unit with high-definition output. Featuring eight slideshow styles with image transitions synchronized to pre-installed background music and high-definition video output, the new HDPS-L1 hard drive photo storage unit offers an interactive way to view and share high-resolution photos from holidays, reunions and birthday parties on a home theatre system. “We expect all sorts of people will take advantage of this new photo storage device to rescue treasured memories buried in their computers and on memory cards, and bring them to life with its built-in slideshow feature,” said Jim Leahey, general manager of peripherals and enhancements at Sony Electronics. “It finally gives high-resolution still pictures the visual realism usually reserved for motion-pictures.”

PMA 2006: EIZO Introduces Creator Edition (CE) Series with Two Additions to the ColorEdge(R) Line of High-End Professional LCDs - ColorEdge CE210W and CE240W

CYPRESS, Calif.—Feb. 24, 2006—Eizo Nanao Technologies Inc. (“EIZO”) is further extending its range of LCD monitors for professionals engaged in all forms of graphics with the introduction of two wide-format LCD monitors, the 21” ColorEdge CE210W and the 24” ColorEdge CE240W. Both CE monitors feature increased horizontal viewing space with their widescreen format complemented by features such as an 8 ms mid-tone response time, an ergonomic design, and an industry-leading five-year warranty. In addition to their extended space, they have extended versatility and reliability with color management capabilities making the CE monitors an ideal solution for a wider range of professionals like graphic artists, printers, gamers, video editors, multimedia creators, 3-D CAD professionals and digital photographers.

PMA 2006: Epson, HP, IDS, Olympus, PortalPlayer and Samsung Electronics Announce PictSync Guidelines for Easy Photo Sharing Between Cameras, Phones and Portable Media Players

PictSync(TM) Enables Easy Transfer of Digital Photos Between Camera Phones, Digital Cameras, and Portable Media Players; Industry Leaders Announce Pre-Release Interoperability Guidelines for Industry Comment

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/—Epson, HP, IDS, Olympus, PortalPlayer and Samsung Electronics, working together as the PictSync Promoters Group, announced today that they have jointly developed guidelines to increase interoperability between digital cameras, camera phones and portable media players. The guidelines, dubbed PictSync(TM), will enable the easy transfer of digital photos between two portable devices that are able to capture or store images, without requiring a personal computer. A licensing program is under development to allow for broad industry adoption of the PictSync guidelines.

FujiFilm, Kodak and Konica Minolta Press Release

Orlando, February 22 - Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., Konica Minolta Photo Imaging Inc. and Eastman Kodak Company, founding members of the former Picture Archiving and Sharing Standard (PASS), today announced the EVERPLAY standard designed to ensure compatibility of digital photos and motion images across a broad range of consumer products for future generations. Methods to organize and preserve digital images have evolved independently by many different companies and have lost interoperability among the different systems. There are also potential problems as time passes, systems evolve and formats change. The new EVERPLAY standard aims to resolve these issues and respond to consumers’ needs to protect images and enjoy widespread interoperability. The standard is designed to make it easy to implement and uses XML next-generation language in its specification.

FotoNation Press Release

FotoNation at PMA Feb. 26-March 1, Orlando - Technology Suite X9

FotoNation is the company that develops hot-new products for digital cameras such as in-camera WiFi as implemented by the leading camera companies and in-camera red-eye currently available in products by Kodak, Nikon, Pentax, Sanyo and more. FotoNation will show at PMA 2006 products related to Wireless Camera Connectivity and Embedded Imaging technology.

Wacom Press Release

Wacom launches new Interactive Pen Display for presentation, audio editing, office automation and command and control - PL-720 for direct pen input onto the screen

Wacom, the leading manufacturer of pen tablets and Interactive Pen Displays, today launches the PL-720, a high resolution, 17” LC screen equipped with a pen that allows the user to write, annotate and navigate directly with the pen onto the screen. Aimed at non-graphic markets such as presentation, audio editing, office automation, command and control systems markets, the new, modern design of the PL-720 provides an ideal tool for an intuitive workflow. The PL-720 has a sleek and contemporary design with a small robust footprint to conveniently minimise desk space. The new interactive pen display has a 17” diagonal viewing area, SXGA resolution with 1280x1024 pixel and 16.2 Mio colours. The stand is adjustable to allow the display to change positions from almost vertical (73°) to almost horizontal (18°).

Fujifilm USA Press Release

PMA 2006: Fujifilm Showcases Multiple Imaging Solutions for Retailers, Professionals, Businesses and Consumers

PMA 2006 Booth # 3508 http://www.fujifilm.com/pma

Valhalla, NY - Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc., is featuring a broad spectrum of imaging technologies and products at the PMA 2006 Annual Convention and Trade Show under the banner, “Fujifilm. Expand the World of Imaging.” The tagline was created to underscore Fujifilm’s role in providing a wide range of innovative solutions - digital, analog or a fusion of technologies - that will expand the value that imaging products and services can bring to businesses and consumers alike.