Fuji Photo Film U.S.A Press Release 14/04/04

NEW STUDY BY FUJIFILM AND INFOTRENDS REVEALS MORE CONSUMERS PRINTING THEIR DIGITAL PHOTOS AT RETAIL LOCATIONS

Rise in digital camera ownership, coupled with trend in growing awareness of retail printing, positive sign for retail photofinishing market

VALHALLA, NY, APRIL 14, 2004 - Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc., a pioneer in digital imaging products and services, today announced the results of its Year Three Digital Camera Retail Printing Study. The study reveals that the percentage of consumers now aware that they can print digital images at retail locations has doubled since the Year Two study. In addition, the survey, conducted by InfoTrends Research Group for Fujifilm in January 2004, shows a significant increase in the number of consumers now choosing to print at retail. The study surveyed the preferences of digital camera owners and prospective buyers in the areas of digital camera use, printing and storing of digital images.

Today, more than 30 percent of U.S. households own at least one digital camera 1. That number is expected to reach 40 percent by the end of 2004. As digital images proliferate, consumers must store and manage their pictures. Currently, a quarter of digital camera users employ printing as a method of storing images. This number is expected to rise in proportion to increasing image management needs in the future.

SanDisk Corporation Press Release 14/04/04

SANDISK TO OFFER miniSD CARDS AT RETAIL IN TAIWAN TO MEET GROWING DEMAND FOR MOBILE PHONES

SanDisk Is First To Market With miniSD; Available At Retail Stores In May

TAIPEI, Taiwan, April 14, 2004 - SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK), the world?s largest supplier of flash memory storage card products, announced today that it will start to sell miniSDO memory cards through retail stores in Taiwan starting in May. SanDisk miniSD cards will be offered in capacities that range from 32 megabytes (MB) to 256MB.

SanDisk miniSD cards are used to store digital images, video, MP3 files and other data in camera phones and multimedia mobile phones. The announcement was made today in Taipei, where SanDisk and its retail distributor in Taiwan, Princeton Technology C&C Corporation (PTC), held a joint press conference.

In a short report by NE Asia Online, Kodak are said to be re-entering the Japanese digicam marketplace in Autumn of this year, after they completely withdrew in 2001. There’s also a snippet of interesting global news:

“Kodak plans to introduce a new model for the Japanese market, and several global models sold for the US and European markets. It also will launch a small-sized mobile printer that can be carried easily and print photos on the spot.”

Website: NE Asia Online - Kodak to Re-Enter Japanese Digital Still Camera Market in Fall 2004

Kingston Technology Press Release 12/04/04

Kingston Elite Pro Line Expands to Provide Fast, High-Capacity Media Storage for Advanced Amateur and Professional Photographers

Fountain Valley, CA (April 12, 2004) - Kingston Technology Company, Inc. the world’s leading independent memory manufacturer, today announced the immediate availability of a 1 GB CompactFlash. Elite Pro. card featuring the latest in high-density flash components. Kingston’s newest 1 GB CompactFlash Elite Pro provides a low, price per megabyte solution of reliable, high-speed media.

Technological advancements combined with the increased popularity of high-end digital devices are driving the demand for higher capacity CompactFlash memory cards. Responding to this dynamic market, Kingston extended its line of high-speed CompactFlash cards with the release of its Elite Pro line of products. Backed by Kingston?s renowned service and support, the new 1 GB CF card is designed to enhance performance of demanding imaging applications used by both advanced amateur and professional photographers.

Tom’s Hardware have just reviewed the Archos Gmini 220 portable storage device (found via digicamera.net).

“The Gmini 220 is attractive, no doubt about it. 20GB for this size and weight will delight any self-respecting nomad. Its elegant unadorned finish increases its appeal. The large screen and the ergonomics of the browse system make it a pleasure to use. Now all we need to decide is whether it is worth the investment of $350. The insatiable audiophile who dreams of a hard-drive player will be delighted. If this audiophile is also a digital photographer who uses CF cards, so much the better. And so much the better if they have voluminous data to carry around.”

Website: Tom’s Hardware - Archos Gmini 220 Review

Sandisk Press Release 07/04/04

SANDISK LAUNCHES CRUZER USB FLASH DRIVES AND CRUZER MICRO MP3 COMPANION PLAYER IN CHINA, TAIWAN AND HONG KONG

Reliability, Durability Are Key Features of New Cruzer Micro and Cruzer Titanium

SHANGHAI, CHINA, April 7, 2004 - SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today announced that it will start selling its newest generation of Cruzer? portable USB flash storage drives—including the tiny Cruzer Micro and the extremely rugged Cruzer Titanium - in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. As part of its product line, SanDisk also is introducing an MP3 music player that connects with the Cruzer Micro, as well as higher-capacity models of its already popular Cruzer Mini. The announcements were made at a SanDisk press conference in Shanghai, China.

Fujifilm UK Press Release 07/04/04

The panic and frustration of losing a treasured memory or a one-off moment, such as a child’s first birthday or a special holiday, can be a distressing experience.  With this in mind, Fujifilm has developed a Digital Image Recovery Service that aims to provide a possible way of retrieving images or movies that have been lost, accidentally deleted, or damaged due to incorrect formatting.

Sophisticated image recovery tools and software are used to recover files safely, and ensure that there is no risk or damage to the customer’s digital media and no further loss of files.

A straightforward service that is quick and easy to use, customers can simply send their media card by post, and within five working days, Fujifilm will burn the recovered files onto a CD before returning them with the media card correctly formatted.  In the event that the images cannot be recovered, they will be returned to the customer in the original condition, at no charge.

Transcend Information, Inc. Press Release 02/04/04

Taipei, Taiwan, April 2, 2004 /Various Agencies—- Taipei, Taiwan, March 30, 2004 /Various Agencies—- Transcend Information, Inc. (Transcend), a world leader in flash memory devices, has improved the data transfer rate of their Secure Digital (SD) cards to an astonishing 45X speed, three to four times faster than standard Secure Digital cards.

These Ultra Performance 45X Secure Digital cards can achieve a read speed of up to 7.7 MB/sec and a write speed of up to 6.8MB/sec. Transcend insists on using only original SLC (Single-Level-Cell) NAND Flash chips that have a higher write speed, lower power consumption, and superior durability compared with Secure Digital cards made with MLC (Multi-Level-Cell) chips. It’s the ideal companion for high-performance electronic devices that use SD memory cards, such as digital cameras. Ultra Performance 45X SD cards are available in capacities of 128MB, 256MB, 512MB and 1GB.

http://www.transcendusa.com/

Matsushita Press Release 06/04/04

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., (MEI), best known for its Panasonic brand of consumer electronics and digital communication products, has announced that it will introduce 1GB SD Memory Card. The product launch is scheduled for April in the Japanese market, followed by distribution elsewhere in the world starting in May. The expected price in the market is about Euro 499 in Germany and $499.99 in North America.

About the SD Memory Card
The SD Memory Card is a semiconductor memory card developed based on the four product concepts: large memory capacity, high-speed data transfer rate, postage stamp-size compactness, and copyright protection. The SD Memory Card has proved to match the needs of digital electronic devices, thus becoming the format with the largest share2 in the semiconductor memory card market. At present (as of the end of January 2004), over 2,000 SD Card application products have been introduced globally by more than 150 brands - a figure which is expected to increase even further in the future.

SanDisk Corporation Press Release 05/04/04

SANDISK INTRODUCES 4-GIGABIT MONOLITHIC NAND FLASH MEMORY CHIP BASED ON 90 NANOMETER TECHNOLOGY

8-Gigabit Flash Memory Chip Also Available By Stacking Two Of The New 4-Gigabit Memories In a Single Package

SUNNYVALE, CA, April 6, 2004 ? SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK), reinforcing its leadership in the development and fabrication of high capacity NAND flash memory chips, today introduced a 4-gigabit (Gb) single-die, multi-level cell (MLC), NAND flash memory chip with double the capacity of its present largest single-die NAND flash memory chip. Advanced design concepts implemented in the new 4Gb NAND flash device and its associated next generation SanDisk controllers enable faster MLC write speeds necessary for increasingly demanding digital consumer electronic devices. SanDisk also announced a 8Gb NAND flash memory chip that stacks two of the 4Gb NAND flash memory chips in a single package.

The new generation NAND MLC memories will enable the production of flash memory cards having double the storage capacity of today?s cards, at a reduced cost per megabyte, thereby further expanding the wide-ranging adoption of NAND flash in consumer and mobile applications. For example, just one of the 8Gb flash memory chips is required in fabricating a 1 gigabyte flash card, which could accelerate the flash storage opportunity in MP3 players, solid state camcorders, and USB flash drives.

Professional photographer Stephen Voss used the Archos Gmini 220 and Apacer Disc Steno CP-200 portable storage devices during a recent trip to Thailand and Cambodia. Find out if they proved to be a reliable way to back up and store digital images in Stephen’s review.

“After spending a considerable amount of time looking at various portable hard drive devices (and reading many opinions about them on various messageboards), I decided that a combination of a CD-based backup device and a hard disk-based backup device would do a pretty good job in protecting my images. Along those lines, I decided on the Apacer Disc Steno CP-200, since it supported disk spanning (i.e. I could copy most of a 1GB compact flash card to one CD and the rest to the next CD) and seemed to have a decent battery life. Secondly, I chose the Archos Gmini 220, which I think is a fantastic, overlooked mp3 player/photo wallet.”

Website: Stephen Voss - Archos Gmini 220 / Apacer Disc Steno CP-200 Review

Having just taken delivery of a new PC with an LCD monitor, I was particularly interested in this article by the Sydney Morning Herald, which compares LCD and CRT monitors from a photography point of view (found via digicamera.net). My new LCD monitor definitely looks a lot brighter and sharper alongside the CRT screen, but which one is giving the truest picture?

“One of Melbourne’s top commercial photographers, John Gollings, known for his architectural studies, says in the past six months he has been forced to replace half his company’s CRT monitors with 23-inch Apple LCD screens because “we think we will soon have no choice in the matter”.

Gollings says serious colour management on LCD monitors is “a nightmare” because they do not provide control over individual RGB (red-green-blue) colours. Gollings’s photo retoucher, who is also his daughter, will not use an LCD, but he says the designers in his studio love them because they are bright and have no curvature or distortion, making them ideal for desktop publishing.”

Website: Sydney Morning Herald - Going down the tubes

Michael Reichmann’s latest digital photography article is tellingly subtitled “The Digital Middle-Ages are Now Over”. He argues that image quality is virtually the same between similarly-specced cameras, and that things like user interface and ergonomics are much more important considerations when buying a new camera.

“I believe that debates over image quality are becoming largely irrelevant. In each category, 5MP digicams, 8MP digicams, 6MP DSLRs, etc, while there are modest differences between cameras, these are actually now quite minor when real-world prints are viewed. Usually what people obsess about at 100% on-screen disappears when seen in a print, especially when every other aspect of image processing and production is less than exceptionally well done.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Let’s Play Another Game

Blu-ray Disc Press Release 29/03/04

Blu-ray Disc To Deliver Five Times Disc Capacity of DVD Discs With Comparable Costs Per Disc

Superior picture quality and copy protection system with comparable per disc cost meets Hollywood?s top criteria for next industry standard

LOS ANGELES - March 29, 2004 - Blu-ray Disc (BD) - the next generation of optical discs for
storing high-definition movies, photos and other digital content - will have by far the highest
capacity of any optical disc storage format ever developed for consumers with disc-making costs that are comparable to those for DVDs when manufactured at mass volumes, according to Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.(Panasonic), Royal Philips Electronics and Sony Corporation.

The per-disc production cost of Blu-ray Discs will be comparable to current per-disc costs for DVD discs, said the three companies. Even with its five times larger capacity, a single layer disc of Blu-ray (BD-ROM) is expected to cost no more than a current DVD when manufactured at mass volumes.

Blu-ray Disc is supported by The Blu-ray Disc Founders, a group of 13 industry giants
in the consumer electronics, personal computer, and media manufacturing sectors and is
the first to address the key components necessary to establish the format as a standard including high quality, robustness, security, flexibility and compatibility all at a per-disc cost comparable to current DVDs.

Leaf America Press Release 29/03/04

Elmsford, NY - Leaf America and Mamiya, leaders in both the digital and analog photographic industry have teamed up to create the all-new Leaf Mamiya ProDigital Camera Solution for the U.S. market.

Since the start of the digital revolution, Leaf has focused its energy on the science of digital imaging, from capture to print. In fact, Leaf invented the first digital backs over ten years ago. Leaf is a product of Creo, one of the world’s largest producers of pre-press and printing equipment. It is this knowledge of the printing world that enables Leaf to produce state-of-the-art software to process digitally captured images without noise and artifacts.

Photographers see the benefit with the Leaf Capture V8 software, which converts captured files into clean, crisp images. According to Leaf, pixel count is less relevant than the quality of the file, and it is the Leaf software that makes the difference. In the traditional photographic world, Mamiya cameras and lenses have become the choice of today’s top professionals. Continuous innovation to create better, sharper images with truer color and contrast have kept Mamiya at the forefront of analog imaging. And, since Mamiya produces its own lenses, it is in a unique position to control every step in the design and manufacturing process to produce lenses that are ideally suited for both digital and film imaging.

Together, the seamless integration of the latest in high-tech digital imaging technology, coupled with the time proven optical performance of Mamiya cameras and lenses, create a unique synergy. The Leaf Mamiya ProDigital Camera Solution represents the culmination of years of research and development between Leaf and Mamiya to bring an integrated imaging system to photographers that utilizes both digital and film imaging.

ePhotoZine have reviewed the X’S-Drive Pro VP300, which is a portable image storage device, 9-in-1 flash memory card reader/writer, MP3 player and USB 2.0 hard drive device.

“MP3 players are hot sellers at the moment, with models like the Apple iPod flying off the shelves. These players tend to be small sleek units, easy to drop in a pocket and forget about. To slip the X’S Drive Pro in your pocket, you’re probably going to need to expand your wardrobe to include some oversized clothes. It’s not at all compact, the Apple iPod is almost half the weight and is considerably smaller.”

Website: ePhotoZine - X’S-Drive Pro VP300 Review

Kopin Corp. Press Release 24/03/04

Kopin’s World’s-Smallest Color Viewfinder Integrated Into SpyPen’s Stylish, Futuristic Digital Cameras

TAUNTON, Mass.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—March 24, 2004—Kopin Corp. (Nasdaq: KOPN) today announced that its new CyberDisplay(TM) 113K EVF, an ultra-small, ultra-low power electronic viewfinder system, has been integrated into the new SpyPen Oboe digital camera just introduced in Europe.

The SpyPen Oboe digital camera is manufactured by World Wide Licenses Ltd. for leading German digital camera company plawa-feinwerktechnik GmbH. The plawa SpyPen brand is known for its eye-catching designs and innovative form factors. The SpyPen Oboe debuted this month at CeBIT 2004. It features an unusual but stylish telescopic look with a 2.1-megapixel resolution and a 2x zoom.

“With its low power, miniature footprint and stunning image quality, Kopin’s viewfinder system enabled us to design a camera that is fun to use and makes a unique fashion statement,” said Giovanni Tomaselli, Managing Director of World Wide Licenses. “And unlike other digital cameras, the unique viewfinder enables pictures taken to be viewed clearly even in direct sunlight.”

“By providing a complete electronic viewfinder system, our new display technology allows manufacturers like World Wide Licenses to design more creatively while shortening design cycles, outsourcing more of their production needs and reducing the time to introduce new products to market,” said Kopin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr. John C.C. Fan.

Creo Inc. Press Release 22/03/04

Creo Inc.: Leaf Valeo 22Wi and New Leaf Valeo 17Wi Go Wireless

VANCOUVER, British Columbia—(BUSINESS WIRE)—March 22, 2004—Creo Inc. (NASDAQ: CREO)(TSX: CRE) is pleased to announce that the fastest digital camera back system - the Leaf(TM) Valeo - is now wireless. This next generation Leaf Valeo is being introduced with an innovative wireless display on two models: the Leaf Valeo 22Wi and the new Leaf Valeo 17Wi, with resolutions of 22 and 17 million pixels respectively. Both camera backs feature an unmatched fast capture rate, optimized 3:4 format ratio CCD, Portable Power technology, and In-Studio Large Format Power.

The new Leaf Valeo Wi family uses built-in Bluetooth(R) wireless technology to accomplish two-way communication between the camera and the Leaf DP-67, a 6 x 7 cm (3.9 inch) image display and control unit, based on the HP iPAQ pocket PC. By using the Leaf DP-67 image display and control unit, users can zoom-in on high resolution images that display instantly, verify focus, set camera parameters or even manage files and folders from a distance of up to 10 meters (33 feet). The DP-67 acts as both a “digital proof” and a “personal photographic assistant”.

Rob Galbraith has just updated his CompactFlash Performance Database with a number of new additions, including full results for the Kodak DCS Pro SLR/n and Nikon D70 digital SLR cameras and performance benchmarks for CompactFlash and Secure Digital cards from Delkin, Microtech (Pexagon), Ridata (Ritek), Sandisk and Viking, as well as a revamped 40X Pro Series card from Lexar. Well worth checking out if you’re looking for the fastest cards available.

Website: Rob Galbraith’s CompactFlash Performance Database

Worldwide camera phone sales will lead digital camera sales roughly 3-to1 in 2004.

www.internetnews.com via NewsEdge Corporation : A phone is worth 29 billion pictures this year, according to data from InfoTrends Research Group. The firm estimates there will be nearly 300 million digital image capture devices in use worldwide through 2004, of which 60 percent will be camera phones.

Worldwide sales of camera phone units are expected to reach nearly 150 million in 2004, resulting in just over a quarter of all mobile phone sales. Growth will continue at an annual compound of 55 percent, topping 656 million units in 2008.