HP Press Release

PALO ALTO, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—April 12, 2005—HP (NYSE:HPQ) (Nasdaq:HPQ) today announced two additions to its Apple iPod from HP line of digital music players. The new iPod products allow consumers to carry and enjoy an extensive music and photo library wherever they go.

The Apple iPod from HP is available in two sizes—30 gigabytes (GB),(1) which holds up to 7,500 songs,(2) and 60 GB, which holds up to 15,000 songs.(2) In addition to a music library, the new players can each store up to 25,000 digital photos and can display them on a vivid, high-resolution color display.

Consumers can use an optional audio-visual cable accessory to share slideshows on big screen televisions and projectors.

“HP offers consumers simple, fun ways to enjoy and personalize their music and photo experiences,” said Siobhan O’Connor, vice president, Consumer Brand and Marketing, HP. “Along with products such as our new Media Center PCs, now available with an integrated iPod dock and pre-installed Apple iTunes software, these new iPods round out a complete music solution from HP.”

FxFoto 3.0 is announced by Triscape. FxFoto 3.0 is a software package that allows you to organize, edit and present your digital pictures. FxFoto 3 adds new filters, collage templates, red eye enhancements and better EXIF support. FxFoto 3 Standard Edition is free without usage or time limits. The Deluxe Edition and the Pro Media Edition are available for $29.99 and $39.99.

Triscape Press Release

Triscape Introduces FxFoto 3.0 with Advanced Creativity and Page Layout Tools for Home Photos and Scrapbooks

WINDHAM, NH, April 11, 2005 - Triscape, Inc. has released a major upgrade to its popular digital photography software for amateur photographers and scrapbookers. FxFoto 3.0 includes creativity and page layout improvements which provide professional results in an easy, cost effective package. Triscape is providing updates free of charge for all current users.

FxFoto is targeted at photography enthusiasts, advanced multimedia users and scrapbookers, giving them everything they need to organize, edit and present their digital pictures.

Extensis Press Release

Charity publishes images more easily with asset management solution

Northampton, 12th April 2005 – Extensis has today announced that Christian Aid is using Portfolio and Portfolio NetPublish Server to handle an ever-increasing demand for images from the developing world.  The Charity uses Extensis’ popular digital asset management solution, Portfolio, to archive in excess of 6000 images per year, as well as making the data accessible to all staff via Portfolio NetPublish directly from their desktops for better internal and external use.

Christian Aid has been exposing the issue of poverty through images for many years and strives to work wherever the need is greatest. The need to reduce labour intensive processes, make photo research services more accessible to Christian Aid’s 500 staff and an ever increasing demand for images, led the charity to adopt Portfolio SQL Connect and Portfolio NetPublish Server.

DIWA member and Norwegian website digIT have just published their review of the Canon Digital IXUS 700 digital camera (also known as the Canon PowerShot SD500 Digital ELPH).

Website: digIT - Canon Digital IXUS 700 Review

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DigiMagic DM-220 DVD Burner is announced. The DigiMagic DM-220 DVD Burner is a portable storage device that enables you to copy your photos from a memory card onto a DVD or CD. All memory card formats are supported by the DigiMagic DVD Burner. The RRP for the DigiMagic DVD Burner is £350 incl VAT.

Cardmedia (Europe) Ltd Press Release

Cardmedia (Europe) Ltd, the official UK distributor and European agent for the manufacturer ezPnP, has announced the arrival of the DigiMagic DM220 DVD Burner.

The DigiMagic enables you to produce copies of your digital photos directly from you memory card onto a CD or DVD disc. The DigiMagic supports all types of discs: CD-R, CD-RW, or DVD-R / DVD+R / DVD-R.

It is the perfect companion for digital photographers both amateur and professional.

The control buttons alongside a small LCD panel operation and the stand-alone solution make using DigiMagic a snap. Other advantageous features of DigiMagic are that it is lightweight and portable. Requiring only 4 AA rechargeable batteries, DigiMagic goes where you go and eliminates the need for buying additional (and costly) memory cards.

BIOS have published a review of the new 8 megapixel Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT DSLR.

“Canon’s EOS 350D Digital (Digital Rebel XT in the US) combines ease of use, a robust design, and many of the same compelling technologies found in Canon’s professional series EOS cameras, making it an excellent camera for the money. Image quality is up slightly on its predecessor thanks to a new CMOS sensor and improved DIGIC image processing, its high-ISO performance was impressive, and its low shutter lag and nearly instant power on time will prove popular for impulsive snappers. For travellers wanting a powerful digital camera with the option of different lenses, you’ll not find a more portable or capable SLR in this price range.”

Website: BIOS - Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT Review

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Digital Camera Review have posted their review of the 7.2 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P200 digital camera.

“The P200 is not just all looks.  Inside the stylish, compact body is a high quality camera that can handle shots in a wide variety of conditions.  For a high quality, 7.2 megapixel, point and shoot camera, the current retail price of $400 is very reasonable.  The camera is a great point-and-shoot for people who like a small, stylish camera, yet has enough options to let an enthusiast do some experimentation.  It’s small enough to make a good travel camera, but can also take images that are nice enough to print keepsake photos.”

Website: Digital Camera Review - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P200 Review

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Gordon Laing has published a detailed review of the new 8 megapixel Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT DSLR.

“The prospect of upgrading a camera which is less than two years old can be a bitter pill to swallow, and if you’re happy with your 300D or 10D, then our best advice is to stick with it. Sure, the extra two megapixels on the 350D are nice to have, but unless you’re making very large prints or tight crops, you won’t notice much difference. Similarly, the smaller dimensions and weight of the 350D may be welcomed by most photographers, but unless you’re an avid climber or walker who values every ounce, you could probably live with your old camera.”

Website: Gordon Laing - Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT Review

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Nikon have released a new version of their Picture Project software which ships with most Nikon digital cameras.

Improvements in Version 1.5.1 of Picture Project
There are many features, improvements and fixes in version 1.5.1. All users of Picture Project are encouraged to upgrade to this version.

Website: Nikon Picture Project Version 1.5.1

Luminous Landscape have reviewed the Epson RD-1 digital rangefinder camera.

“When it comes to actually shooting (the whole digital / film issue aside for the moment), the camera is mostly a pleasure to use. This assumes though that one is used to the rangefinder esthetic. Frankly, unless one has grown up with or extensively used a real rangefinder camera, this is likely not to be the case. For a photographer used to SLRs the chances are that using the R-D1 (or any rangefinder for that matter) is going to be found to be a funky experience. But assuming that one knows what the breed is all about, there really isn’t that much difference between shooting with the R-D1 and a Voigtlander Bessa or even M Leica. “

Website: Luminous Landscape - Epson R-D1 Review

Digital Outback Photo have published a very interesting article today comparing the depth of field that can be obtained by the Nikon D2X and Canon EOS 1Ds Mk II DSLR cameras.

“If you are shooting where significant depth of field is required, the D2X will better serve your needs, producing more sharp pixels overall than the 1DsMII. Or, the D2X will be able to shoot at a higher shutter speed while obtaining the same DOF. When the wind is blowing, details like leaves or flowers can be obliterated by a too-low shutter speed. When it’s dusk, you may not be able to stop down to get DOF and still get a fast-enough shutter speed. You can raise the ISO on the 1DsMII, but that degrades picture quality. And in these examples, even f16 was not enough to make up for the disadvantage. Going beyond f16 on either camera seriously degrades overall image sharpness and contrast, though in this case perhaps it would be an improvement for the 1DsMII.”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Depth of field—the shorter focal length advantage

DPReview have reviewed the 5 megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5. With a 12x image stabilized Leica lens, the DMC-FZ5 improves on the DMC-FZ3 by offering faster auto-focus and improved body design, as well as more megapixels.

“The DMC-FZ5 solves the only two reservations most people had about its predecessor (the DMC-FZ3); fairly low pixel count and slightly sluggish focus (especially at the long end of the zoom). It also adds a bigger, better screen, slightly better ergonomics and seems to have almost entirely removed the vignetting problem that plagued FZ3 shots. Put all these improvements together and you’ve got an incredibly powerful, incredibly compact camera capable of punching well above its weight.”

Website: DPReview - Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 Review

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Pocket Lint have published their review of the 4 megapixel Canon PowerShot A520 digital camera.

“Image quality is very good indeed. Colours are natural and bright, the in-camera processing provides plenty of detail, although highlights look a bit blown out on some spectral highlights. Higher ISO present a problem where noise and the affects of noise reduction processing clean away some detail but overall, very good.”

Website: Pocket Lint - Canon PowerShot A520 Review

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DIWA member and Danish website DigitalMagasinet have published their review of the 4 megapixel Canon PowerShot A520 digital camera.

Website: DigitalMagasinet - Canon PowerShot A520 Review

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The Czech website Digineff have reviewed the Ricoh R2, a 5 megapixel digital camera with a 4.8x optical zoom and 2.5 inch LCD screen. The Ricoh Caplio R2 is less than 26mm thick and has a battery life of around 500 shots. The Ricoh Caplio R2 is available now and costs £229.99 inc Vat.

Website: Digineff - Ricoh R2 Review

The Digital Journalist have reviewed the Epson RD-1 digital rangefinder camera.

“The rub with the R-D1 is that unless you want to put an auxiliary viewfinder on the hotshoe, and frame and focus through two different windows, the widest lens you can use is a 28mm. And because of the R-D1’s smaller-than-35mm chip, this gives you the equivalent of a 42mm lens in 35mm terms. The narrower angle of view can be restrictive, but it does force you to discipline yourself; you have to jockey for position a little more. I’m a one-film, one-lens guy anyway. The 21mm Leica lens would be ideal on the R-D1, about equivalent to 32mm, if only you didn’t have to compose with the separate finder.”

Website: The Digital Journalist - Epson R-D1 Review

Adobe Press Press Release

Adobe Press Updates Classroom in a Book Series With Creative Suite 2 Titles; Best-Selling Series Redesigned in Full Color and Enhanced With Insider Tips

BERKELEY, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—April 8, 2005—Today Adobe Press announced its Classroom in a Book series of titles based on Adobe(R) Creative Suite 2 (CS2), the powerhouse software package containing all-new versions of Adobe Photoshop(R), Adobe InDesign(R), Adobe Illustrator(R), Adobe GoLive(R), plus the recently released Adobe Acrobat(R) 7.0 Professional. Adobe Press’ classic Classroom in a Book series debuted in 1993 and has since been translated into more than 20 languages and sold over 3 million copies worldwide. Now in color for the first time, these practical workbooks offer a rich and dynamic experience for readers being trained on the new CS2 software applications.

“The Classroom in a Book series has been wildly popular, inspiring readers and instructors for years to get the most out of their Adobe software applications,” said Kelly Ryer, Adobe Press Editor. “We are excited to debut the fresh color interiors and know that the redesign will offer an even more rewarding experience.”

Roxio Press Release

Roxio Easy Media Creator 7.5 Wins PC Magazine Editors’ Choice Award; ‘‘Easy Media Creator is Once Again the Best Package in Its Class’‘

SANTA CLARA, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—April 11, 2005—Roxio(R), a division of Sonic Solutions(R) (Nasdaq:SNIC), the leader in digital media software, announced today that Easy Media Creator(TM) 7.5, the most comprehensive suite of CD and DVD authoring and burning, photo, video and music applications, surpassed all competitors to earn PC Magazine’s prestigious Editors’ Choice Award. Editors praise Easy Media Creator 7.5 for offering the broadest selection of features and delivering new applications they cite as being “some of the most successful components in the suite.” The complete review is currently available at PC Magazine online (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1781691,00.asp).

Canon USA Press Release

Canon U.S.A., Inc. Endorses the Independent WIR Certified Image Permanence Testing Program and Seal, Joining Epson, Hewlett-Packard, and Lexmark in Providing Consumers with Standardized Print Longevity Ratings

GRINNELL, Iowa—(BUSINESS WIRE)—April 8, 2005—Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. (WIR), an independent test methods development and product testing company, today announced that Canon U.S.A., Inc. will participate in the new WIR Certified Image Permanence Testing Program. With comprehensive test data provided by Wilhelm Imaging Research, Canon will begin using the WIR Certification Seal with a range of qualified photo printing products.

“In addition to our own photo imaging permanence scale, we are providing customers the ability to see independent image permanence results that allow an easy comparison of the available photographic materials by supporting the new Wilhelm Imaging test certification Seal,” said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the Consumer Imaging Group at Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. “The new seal program provides an immediate, uniform test method to provide consumers with the information needed to understand the difference between various products used to print their digital photographs.”

Norwegian website Akamera.no have published their review of the 7 megapixel Olympus C-70 Zoom (called the Olympus C-7000 Zoom in the USA).

Website: Akamera.no - Olympus C-70 Zoom Review

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