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Friday, December 9, 2005

Epson America Press Release

Epson Redefines Future of Portrait Photography With New Epson Gemini(R) K3 Portrait Printing System

New Professional Portrait System Gives Photographers Quick and Simple Way to Take Control of Printing Process to Boost Image Quality, Productivity and Profits

LONG BEACH, Calif., Dec. 8 /PRNewswire/—Epson America Inc. is introducing a new digital workflow system that is tailor-made for portrait photographers who are looking for an immediate and simple way to increase their productivity, image quality and profitability. The Epson Gemini K3 Portrait Printing System combines the benefits of Epson’s new, award-winning Epson UltraChrome K3(TM) photographic printing technology with new image management and enhancement programs that are designed to dramatically improve the way portrait photographers do business.

Epson America Press Release Epson Redefines Future of Portrait Photography With New Epson Gemini(R) K3 Portrait Printing System New Professional Portrait System Gives Photographers Quick and Simple Way to Take Control of Printing Process to Boost Image Quality, Productivity and Profits LONG BEACH, Calif., Dec. 8 /PRNewswire/—Epson America Inc. is…

Creative Zen Vision:MCreative UK Press Release

Creative Zen Vision:M Features Dazzling Colour Screen and Capacity for up to 120 Hours of Video, Thousands of Digital Photos or up to15,000 Songs

December 8th 2005 - Creative (Nasdaq: CREAF) the worldwide leader in digital entertainment products for the personal computer and the Internet, today introduced the Zen™ Vision:M, a cutting-edge 30GB video player, photo viewer and MP3 player.  Designed with a stunning, 2.5-inch, high-resolution 262,144 colour LCD screen, the Zen Vision:M displays rich, vibrant digital video and photos, full-colour menus and album art.  The Zen Vision:M will be available in gorgeous high-gloss black, white, blue, green or pink.

“When people see the Zen Vision:M, they tell us it’s incredibly cool,” said Sim Wong Hoo, chairman and CEO of Creative.  “We designed the Zen Vision:M with its mesmerising 262K colour screen to display four times the colour of competing portable video players, and to provide incredible battery life for video playback.  Plus, we offer people the freedom to choose their video in a variety of different formats, and to get subscription music or download tracks from a number of different sites on their player.”

Creative UK Press Release Creative Zen Vision:M Features Dazzling Colour Screen and Capacity for up to 120 Hours of Video, Thousands of Digital Photos or up to15,000 Songs December 8th 2005 - Creative (Nasdaq: CREAF) the worldwide leader in digital entertainment products for the personal computer and the Internet, today…

Kodak Picture Kiosk G4Kodak and Ritz Camera Centers Press Release

Kodak and Ritz Camera Centers Partner to Bring Kodak’s New Digital Photo Kiosks to 1100 Stores Nationwide; Just in Time for the Holidays, the New KODAK Picture Kiosk G4 Makes Digital Photography Faster and More Convenient for Consumers

NEW YORK—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Dec. 8, 2005—Eastman Kodak Company and Ritz Camera Centers, the largest retail camera and imaging photo chain in the U.S., today announced a partnership to deploy Kodak’s new digital photo kiosks in all Ritz Camera stores across the country, totaling approximately 1,100 locations. Ritz Camera will be the first retailer to install Kodak’s new G4 kiosks, which make KODAK-quality digital print in just eight seconds - 35% faster than prior models.

Kodak and Ritz Camera Centers Press Release Kodak and Ritz Camera Centers Partner to Bring Kodak’s New Digital Photo Kiosks to 1100 Stores Nationwide; Just in Time for the Holidays, the New KODAK Picture Kiosk G4 Makes Digital Photography Faster and More Convenient for Consumers NEW YORK—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Dec. 8, 2005—Eastman…

Kodak UK Press Release

KODAK ROYAL Paper is now KODAK ROYAL Digital Colour Paper - Name change reflects consumer demand for high-quality digital prints at retail

LONDON December 7, 2005 — Meeting the demands of today’s digitally savvy consumer, Eastman Kodak Company today announced that KODAK ROYAL Paper, Kodak’s highest-quality consumer photofinishing paper, is now KODAK ROYAL Digital Colour Paper.  This change will enable photofinishers to better communicate to consumers that this is Kodak’s best silver halide paper for digital printing. Consumers will enjoy crisp, sharp, colour-saturated digital pictures that are available from this premium paper.

Kodak UK Press Release KODAK ROYAL Paper is now KODAK ROYAL Digital Colour Paper - Name change reflects consumer demand for high-quality digital prints at retail LONDON December 7, 2005 — Meeting the demands of today’s digitally savvy consumer, Eastman Kodak Company today announced that KODAK ROYAL Paper, Kodak’s highest-quality…

Ricoh UK Press Release

Ricoh EPMMC UK are pleased to announce the appointment of Alpha Digital Services Ltd as the distribution partner for their award winning digital camera range effective immediately. The Personal Multimedia Centre of Ricoh Europe B.V. is based in the UK and Germany and is one of the leading suppliers of DVD+RW/+R, drives, DVD media and digital cameras in the Pan-European market This appointment reinforces the commitment of Ricoh to the UK market and will continue to build on the success that Ricoh has enjoyed so far.

The Alpha Digital team have extensive knowledge and contacts within the photographic channel”, commented Dominic Wingent, National Sales Manager at Ricoh EPMMC (European Personal Multi Media Company). “We are confident that this appointment will further strengthen our position within the retail sector.”

Ricoh UK Press Release Ricoh EPMMC UK are pleased to announce the appointment of Alpha Digital Services Ltd as the distribution partner for their award winning digital camera range effective immediately. The Personal Multimedia Centre of Ricoh Europe B.V. is based in the UK and Germany and is one of…

USB All In One Executive Pen DriveCardmedia Press Release

Pen + USB Flash drive + PDA touch panel
Optional Laser/light pointer
Supplied in a metallic gift box

Cardmedia (Europe) Ltd has released the USB All in one Executive pen drive, a good quality pen combined with built in USB Flash memory to easily backup or transport your data.
The Executive pen drive is available with capacities ranging from 64MB up to 1GB, and is offered to end users from its eShop as well as to Corporate companies for logo printing service on bulk orders.

Cardmedia Press Release Pen + USB Flash drive + PDA touch panel Optional Laser/light pointer Supplied in a metallic gift box Cardmedia (Europe) Ltd has released the USB All in one Executive pen drive, a good quality pen combined with built in USB Flash memory to easily backup or transport…

InterVideo Press Release

InterVideo Files ITC Section 337 Complaint Against Dell Inc., Winbook Computer Corporation, and Cyberlink Corporation.

Seeks Permanent Exclusion Order and Permanent Cease and Desist Order Related to Patent Covering Personal Computer and Electronic Device Functions, Especially Concerning InterVideo’s InstantON Products and Technology.

Northampton UK December 7th, 2005 – InterVideo, Inc. (NASDAQ: IVII)), a leading provider of software solutions to tier-one consumer electronics and PC manufacturers, announced today that its subsidiary, InterVideo Digital Technology Corporation, has filed a Complaint under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the United States International Trade Commission, naming as respondents Dell Inc., Winbook Computer Corporation, Cyberlink Corporation of Taiwan, and Cyberlink’s U.S. subsidiary, Cyberlink.com Corporation.  The complaint asks the USITC to initiate an investigation into infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,765,788 (“the ’788 Patent”), entitled “Method and apparatus for integrating personal computer and electronic device functions,” and to enter permanent exclusion orders and permanent cease and desist orders at the conclusion of the investigation.

InterVideo Press Release InterVideo Files ITC Section 337 Complaint Against Dell Inc., Winbook Computer Corporation, and Cyberlink Corporation. Seeks Permanent Exclusion Order and Permanent Cease and Desist Order Related to Patent Covering Personal Computer and Electronic Device Functions, Especially Concerning InterVideo’s InstantON Products and Technology. Northampton UK December 7th, 200…

Manfrotto Press Release

Professional Photographer Magazine honors Innovative Articulated Arm.

Bassano del Grappa, Italia (PRWEB) December 7, 2005—Manfrotto, the world’s leading manufacturer of photographic support products, is proud to announce the Articulated Arm with Camera Bracket among the select group of 2005 Hot1 award winners from Professional Photographer Magazine.

The prestigious Hot1 Awards honors professional photographic products that are revolutionizing today’s imaging industry, and is given to a product for its exceptional quality, innovation, design and performance.

Manfrotto Press Release Professional Photographer Magazine honors Innovative Articulated Arm. Bassano del Grappa, Italia (PRWEB) December 7, 2005—Manfrotto, the world’s leading manufacturer of photographic support products, is proud to announce the Articulated Arm with Camera Bracket among the select group of 2005 Hot1 award winners from Professional Photographer Magazine. The…

Pentax *ist DS2 Digital SLRDIWA member Steves Digicams has the first online review of the Pentax *ist DS2 digital SLR camera. The Pentax DS2 is virtually identical to the existing *ist DS, adding a larger, higher-resolution 2.5 inch color LCD monitor.

“The *ist DS2’s default Image Tone setting of Bright produced well-saturated images right out of the camera. Colors were natural, but a bit soft; most users will prefer a hard sharpness setting, or the application of an image editor’s unsharp mask filter. The image noise was practically non-existant at ISO 200, at ISO 400 it’s still very clean, and at ISO 800 shadow noise becomes noticeable. At ISO 1600 noise becomes noticeable in highlights, but the images are quite usable. I would use ISO 3200 only if it made the difference between capturing an image or not. While noise is present at the higher ISO settings, the *ist DS2 compares favorably in this respect with the high-end prosumer digicams that overlap its price range.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Pentax *ist DS2 Review

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DIWA member Steves Digicams has the first online review of the Pentax *ist DS2 digital SLR camera. The Pentax DS2 is virtually identical to the existing *ist DS, adding a larger, higher-resolution 2.5 inch color LCD monitor. “The *ist DS2’s default Image Tone setting of Bright produced well-saturated images right…

Panasonic DMC-FX9DIWA member Steves Digicams have reviewed the Panasonic DMC-FX9, a 6 megapixel compact digital camera with optical image stabilizer, 3x Leica lens and 2.5-inch LCD screen with 207,000 pixels.

“Although the FX9 is very small, it fits well in your hands, and allows for easy, one-handed shooting. The Controls are positioned so that your fingers fall naturally over the various buttons on the top and on the back. Like we have seen with past models, the menu system is logically organized and simple to navigate. The only viewfinder on this cameras is its large and bright 2.5-inch LCD. I found this display worked great outdoors in bight light, having very few angles that reflected the sun. When shooting in marginal lighting conditions, it does not “gain up”. However the exposure system is very sensitive, and will allow you to frame in most cases.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Panasonic DMC-FX9 Review

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DIWA member Steves Digicams have reviewed the Panasonic DMC-FX9, a 6 megapixel compact digital camera with optical image stabilizer, 3x Leica lens and 2.5-inch LCD screen with 207,000 pixels. “Although the FX9 is very small, it fits well in your hands, and allows for easy, one-handed shooting. The Controls are…

Panasonic DMC-LX1DIWA member Steves Digicams have reviewed the Panasonic DMC-LX1, an 8.4 megapixel digital camera with a 4x Leica optical zoom lens equivalent to 28-112mm, optical image stabilizer and a 2.5 inch LCD screen.

“The DMC-LX1 is yet another addition to Panasonic’s very popular Lumix line of compact and stylish digital cameras. It offers powerful features like an 8-megapixel imager that is complimented by a Leica DC-VARIO ELMARIT 4x optical zoom lens, large and bright 2.5-inch LCD display, and Panasonic’s exclusive MEGA O.I.S. image stabilization system. The LX1 has an exposure mode that will be sure to satisfy every user in your household. Newbies will appreciate the simple to use Auto, Program AE and 14 pre-programmed scene modes. As for the novice and advanced users, don’t worry, they didn’t forget about you! Aperture priority, Shutter speed priority and full Manual mode are sure to offer you plenty of control over the exposure process.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Panasonic DMC-LX1 Review

Website: Read my Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 Review

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DIWA member Steves Digicams have reviewed the Panasonic DMC-LX1, an 8.4 megapixel digital camera with a 4x Leica optical zoom lens equivalent to 28-112mm, optical image stabilizer and a 2.5 inch LCD screen. “The DMC-LX1 is yet another addition to Panasonic’s very popular Lumix line of compact and stylish digital…

Sanyo Xacti E6DIWA member LetsGoDigital have reviewed the Sanyo Xacti E6, a 6 megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom lens that is equivalent to 38-114mm.

“The design of the camera is rather sober. It features smooth round shapes and the housing consists of a matte aluminium material. Without a doubt the large sized monitor is perfectly apt for sharing your photos with family and friends. The camera lacks an optical viewfinder, but the 3-inch display makes you forget about this immediately. The monitor is dominating the entire back of the Xacti E6. We can only cheer at the new trend of equipping digital cameras with large sized screens.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Sanyo Xacti E6 Review

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DIWA member LetsGoDigital have reviewed the Sanyo Xacti E6, a 6 megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom lens that is equivalent to 38-114mm. “The design of the camera is rather sober. It features smooth round shapes and the housing consists of a matte aluminium material. Without a doubt…

Samsung Pro815DPReview have reviewed the new Samsung Pro815, an 8 megapixel digital camera with a massive 15x optical zoom lens and a 3.5” LCD screen.

“So then, what’s the final conclusion? For one thing Samsung must be applauded for the sheer audacity of the Pro815. For a ‘first attempt’ at a ‘prosumer’ camera it is nothing short of remarkable, and if it had been launched a 12-18 months ago it would have really upset the apple cart. But one can’t help feeling it’s a little too late, and that inside this monster there is a better, leaner camera dying to get out.”

Website: DPReview - Samsung Pro815 Review

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DPReview have reviewed the new Samsung Pro815, an 8 megapixel digital camera with a massive 15x optical zoom lens and a 3.5” LCD screen. “So then, what’s the final conclusion? For one thing Samsung must be applauded for the sheer audacity of the Pro815. For a ‘first attempt’ at a…

HP Photosmart R717PCWorld have reviewed the HP Photosmart R717, a 6.2 megapixel digicam with a 1.8 inch LCD screen and 3x optical zoom lens in a stylish stainless steel body.

“The quality of the R717’s photos impressed us, as it produced some of the sharpest images we’ve seen from a point-and-shoot. Colors looked attractive, though a bit more oversaturated than the actual hues. We also saw a little speckling—possibly the result of oversharpening—on our color-distortion tests. These were minor weaknesses, however, and we gave the R717 an overall image-quality rating of Very Good.”

Website: PCWorld - HP Photosmart R717 Review

Website: Read my HP Photosmart R717 Review

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PCWorld have reviewed the HP Photosmart R717, a 6.2 megapixel digicam with a 1.8 inch LCD screen and 3x optical zoom lens in a stylish stainless steel body. “The quality of the R717’s photos impressed us, as it produced some of the sharpest images we’ve seen from a point-and-shoot. Colors…

Nikon Coolpix S4DCResource have reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S4, which has 6 megapixels and a 10x Zoom-Nikkor lens that is equivalent to 38-380mm.

“The Coolpix S4 marks the return of the Nikon’s swivel-body design, and I missed it. I owned a Coolpix 950 back in the dark ages, and I became a fan of the swivel-body instantly. It comes in handy when you’re shooting over people’s heads in front of you, or at ground level for cool shots of your pets or kids. Unfortunately Nikon cut a few corners on the S4, and it’s not quite as nice as its predecessors. Build quality is okay in most areas, though the cheesy plastic lens cover leaves much to be desired. In terms of ergonomics I have a few complaints. First, there’s absolutely nowhere to put your right thumb, which will end up on that large LCD display—I hope you like fingerprints! Second, the four-way controller is a little clunky, but that’s just my opinion.”

Website: DCResource - Nikon Coolpix S4 Review

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DCResource have reviewed the Nikon Coolpix S4, which has 6 megapixels and a 10x Zoom-Nikkor lens that is equivalent to 38-380mm. “The Coolpix S4 marks the return of the Nikon’s swivel-body design, and I missed it. I owned a Coolpix 950 back in the dark ages, and I became a…

Olympus i:robe IR-500CNET have the first online review of the Olympus i:robe IR-500, an unusual 4 megapixel digital camera.

“The Olympus IR-500 wants to be the iPod of digital cameras: cool, convenient, and especially versatile in playback mode. Although it’s a competent enough 4-megapixel snapshot camera, with 17 scene modes—but only a limited 2.8X 40mm-to-112mm (35mm-camera equivalent) zoom lens—it really excels as a playback device. Nestled in the bundled docking station, it can display any of 12 different slide shows, each with as many as 100 voice-narrated pictures. Lengthy shows are most practical when you link the dock to the optional 16-ounce 40GB S-HD-100 hard drive. The IR-500 has nine PowerPoint-like transition effects, including zoom up and down, checkerboards, faders, swivels, and Venetian blinds. It can also display your images sorted by shooting date, as a sort of visual diary. The slide show and “diary” modes have their own easy-access positions on the mode dial.”

Website: CNET - Olympus i:robe IR-500 Review

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CNET have the first online review of the Olympus i:robe IR-500, an unusual 4 megapixel digital camera. “The Olympus IR-500 wants to be the iPod of digital cameras: cool, convenient, and especially versatile in playback mode. Although it’s a competent enough 4-megapixel snapshot camera, with 17 scene modes—but only a…

Canon SELPHY CP510Norwegian website Akam.no have just reviewed the Canon SELPHY CP510 compact photo printer.

Website: Akam.no - Canon SELPHY CP510 Review

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Norwegian website Akam.no have just reviewed the Canon SELPHY CP510 compact photo printer. Website: Akam.no - Canon SELPHY CP510 Review Latest Prices / User Reviews

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1Digital Outback Photo have started a diary review of the new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1, a 10.3 megapixel compact camera with an APS-C sized sensor that allows for a “live” preview.

“The lowest ISO level for the R1 is 160. Because this is close enough to ISO 200 we skipped this test. ISO 200 is very good, ISO 400 not bad, ISO 800 can be used still for good images. We would try to avoid to use ISO 1600 and higher although with tools like Noise Ninja you may get still nice photos. Overall the R1 does not disappoint at all in our noise test.”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 Diary

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Digital Outback Photo have started a diary review of the new Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1, a 10.3 megapixel compact camera with an APS-C sized sensor that allows for a “live” preview. “The lowest ISO level for the R1 is 160. Because this is close enough to ISO 200 we skipped this…

Olympus E-500PCMagazine have reviewed the Olympus E-500, an 8 megapixel DSLR with a 2.5 inch LCD screen in a body with a classic penta-prism design.

“With so many digital camera manufacturers offering inexpensive digital SLRs, consumers have a lot of options to choose from. The overall quality is generally very high, but careful testing can detect subtle differences. Although our tests turned up some small issues with image quality and performance, we found the 8-megapixel Olympus Evolt E-500 to be a very good camera, but one that still falls shy of unseating our present entry-level D-SLR Editors’ Choice, the Nikon D50.”

Website: PCMagazine - Olympus E-500 Review

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PCMagazine have reviewed the Olympus E-500, an 8 megapixel DSLR with a 2.5 inch LCD screen in a body with a classic penta-prism design. “With so many digital camera manufacturers offering inexpensive digital SLRs, consumers have a lot of options to choose from. The overall quality is generally very high…

DxO Optics Pro v3.5PCMagazine have reviewed the image correction software DxO Optics Pro v3.5.

“Last year we reviewed DO Labs’ ground-breaking DxO Optics Pro image correction program for prosumer and professional digital cameras and digital SLRs. While we were impressed with its ability to tweak image color and compensate for lens aberrations, the utility’s limited scope and lack of control made it only moderately useful. By contrast, DxO Optics Pro 3.0 is a powerful, full-blown program that gives users precise control over every aspect of image processing and correction. Despite a few minor wrinkles, Optics Pro is one of the best tools we’ve seen for enhancing image quality”

Website: PCMagazine - DxO Optics Pro v3.5 Review

PCMagazine have reviewed the image correction software DxO Optics Pro v3.5. “Last year we reviewed DO Labs’ ground-breaking DxO Optics Pro image correction program for prosumer and professional digital cameras and digital SLRs. While we were impressed with its ability to tweak image color and compensate for lens aberrations, the…