DxO Labs Press Release

DxO Labs is announcing today a software special offer of DxO Optics Pro v4.1 with iView MediaPro 3.1. This special offer combines the leading automatic digital image enhancement software with state-of-the-art digital asset management software to streamline the workflow for digital photographers. The DxO Optics Pro v4.1 and iView Media Pro 3.1 software special offer will be available for purchase until December 31, 2006 from the DxO Labs or iView MultiMedia Web sites, www.dxo.com and www.iview-multimedia.com

Intemos Press Release

To celebrate its second anniversary, intemos.com, manufacturers of the DSLRClean™ sensor cleaning system, has launched two new product kits. The DSLRClean™ starter kit, comprising of five DSLRClean™ sensor cleaning swabs and a 10ml bottle of IOptic™ liquid is priced at just £12.95 – the lowest cost sensor cleaning kit on the market. The DSLRClean™ travel kit is designed with the photographic traveller in mind and comes in a clear plastic Ziploc case containing everything the photographer needs to keep their camera, lenses, and sensor clean whilst travelling.

FotoInsight Press Release

Free software from FotoInsight helps to create coffee table style photo books with fully editable covers. Without any prior experience, beginners can present and preserve their own digital photographs in individual, carefully crafted, glossy photo books. The personal, coffee table style photo book is rapidly developing into a very popular photo print product and is about to overtake the traditional 6”x4” print as the most common photographic printed output in British households. Rarely has the development of a consumer product progressed as quickly. FotoInsight of Cambridge, UK launched photo books from an online facility with limited editing features one year ago. Today the company FotoInsight is introducing a revolution in Photo Book creation software – a time saving fade-proof record of precious memories for print. It allows novice and inexperienced users to layout their digital images in full colour double page spread, move, crop and edit pictures to any size and add text freely within the photo book, on the cover and on the book spine.

muvee Press Release

Latest version combines automatic video editing with powerful new personalization features to allow users to create more customized productions

SINGAPORE and NEW YORK – December 5, 2006 – muvee, the pioneer and leader in Instant Personal Video, today announces the release of the latest version of its flagship automatic video editing software, muvee autoProducer 6.  Designed to give users more control over their muvees, this edition introduces new personalization features including customizable styles, more production settings and support for captions and voiceovers. “muvee fans love the automatic video editing capabilities of our autoProducer software but many ask for more control and more ways to add personal touches to their muvees,” said Dr. Pete Kellock, muvee’s founder and CEO.  “With autoProducer 6, we’re giving our users this control while maintaining the simplicity that’s inherent in muvee’s unique approach.”

Acoustica Press Release

(Acoustica Inc, Oakhurst, CA, November 6, 2006) - Acoustica Inc. has released Acoustica CD/DVD Label Maker Version 3.x, which now supports LightScribe Direct Disk Technology™. LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling is a new technology that offers user a simple, no-hassle way to burn professional, silkscreen-quality labels on their CDs and DVDs. Using the same laser that burns data in their disc drives, users burn their data as always, flip the disc over, reinsert it into the drive and burn a precise, iridescent label with their desired text and graphics using the same laser that burns the data – no printer, permanent marker or adhesive labeling is required.

Don’t get too excited - the new Nikon DS-Qi1 is a scientific grade camera, which still provides an interesting glimpse into the future.

Nikon Instruments Press Release

MELVILLE, N.Y., Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/—Nikon Instruments (http://www.nikonusa.com/), a leader in the development of advanced optical technology, today unveiled the Nikon DS-Qi1 Monochrome Digital Camera, an ultra high-quality scientific grade digital camera specifically designed for fluorescence applications and an excellent choice for high speed and high sensitivity applications in quantitative fluorescence imaging. The DS-Qi1 represents Nikon’s new flagship camera in the DS camera lineup. The camera is a monochrome CCD designed specifically for fluorescence applications and features a 1.3-megapixel CCD that accurately captures microstructures at a high resolution of 1280x1024 pixels. The camera accelerates frame rates beyond previous models and improves resolution, expands dynamic range, and reduces noise by using Nikon’s proprietary imaging technology.

ILFORD Photo Press Release

Mobberley, Cheshire. 6 December 2006 - Solving the problem of marrying supply with demand for its products, while extending its strong links with users and retailers, ILFORD Photo offers the ideal solution for ensuring the easy availability of the world’s favourite black-and-white photographic film, paper and photochemistry. ILFORD Photo, the world’s leading supplier of black-and-white photography products, has launched a new service to bring together users and retailers of its products, to the benefit of everyone involved. Called Direct2Dealer, the service is based on a catalogue of the more than 380 products available from ILFORD Photo. The catalogue is being distributed to colleges and universities which run photographic courses, as well as to retailers, and is available free to users by telephoning 0800 234 6484.

Extensis Press Release

Manage This will offer information, resources and commentary on fonts, assets and Extensis happenings.

PORTLAND, Ore., December 5, 2006 — Extensis, a division of Celartem Inc., today officially launched Manage This, a new blog that will include interesting tidbits about Extensis products, employees and inspiration for the creative professional. Manage This can be found at http://blog.extensis.com . Every week, Manage This offers perspectives on current creative and design-related news, as well as updated information on Extensis products and its employees. Manage This also includes links to industry resources and a unique perspective on the creative professional industry as seen from a software developer’s perspective. Extensis’ Jim Kidwell leads the editorial efforts for the blog, with many staffers regularly supplying content.

ePhotoZine have reviewed the Pentax K10D, which offers 10.2 megapixels, shake-reduction, dust removal system, 22-bit colour, three new shooting modes, 2.5 inch LCD screen and 11 point auto-focusing.

“ISO setting go from 100-1600 and the camera has a noise reduction setting that will operate at all speeds. Although it does make some slight difference at high ISOs, the job can be far better done in dedicated software packages. Files taken at speeds up to ISO800 are quite usable anyway, and the ability to select sensitivity speeds in increments of half or third stops gives great leeway.”

Website: ePhotoZine - Pentax K10D Review

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ThinkCamera have just reviewed the new 10 megapixel Nikon D80 DSLR camera.

“The first thing I noticed about the Nikon D80 was the size. It fits nicely into my hands and all the buttons and wheels are easily accessible. It has a lovely balanced feel to it and although it’s heavier than my other cameras it’s not so heavy that it gives you neck ache. I bought mine body only as I’d bought a lens second hand but it’s the same lens as comes in the kit and that’s the Nikkor 18 to 70mm lens.”

Website: ThinkCamera - Nikon D80 Review

Website: Read our Nikon D80 Review

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TrustedReviews have just reviewed the new 10 megapixel Nikon D80 DSLR camera.

”...the quality of the JPEG Fine mode is outstanding, and it takes a keen eye to spot any difference between converted RAW and JPEG Fine images, especially in prints. The in-camera colour and image control makes this a viable option for all but the most demanding professionals.”

Website: TrustedReviews - Nikon D80 Review

Website: Read our Nikon D80 Review

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DigiCamReview have reviewed the new Olympus mju 740, which features a 5x optical zoom and 7 megapixels.

“The cameras most appealing features are its ultra compact weather proof body, 5x optical zoom lens, and unusual shape making it very pocket-able. It is stylish with a solid body and also available in three colours. The camera has good 2.5” screen that is usable in fairly bright sunlight, due to the bright image technology. The camera feels very well built, and is comfortable to hold.”

Website: DigiCamReview - Olympus mju 740 Review

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Imaging Resource have reviewed the new Nikon Coolpix S10, which has 6 megapixels, Vibration Reduction and a 10x, 38-380mm swivel lens.

“The Coolpix S10 is pushing it a little, packing a 10x zoom into such a small space, but the results are surprisingly good. Macro mode, for starters, got closer than most any camera we’ve reviewed. Though it’s soft in the corners like most digital cameras, we’re talking tack sharp over most of the center.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Nikon Coolpix S10 Review

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Steves Digicams have just reviewed the slim 6 megapixel Olympus FE-190 camera.

“The FE-190 is another easy to use point-n-shoot, entry-level model for Olympus’ 2006 “FE” series line up, and includes some appealing features like 6-megapixels, 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.5-inch LCD, all packed in a durable and compact (3.6 W x 2.3 H x 0.7 in. D) body. Designed more for beginners or those who just want to snap photos without dealing with camera settings, the FE-190 has a wide variety of fully automatic modes that will allow users to capture pleasing images in various shooting environments.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Olympus FE-190 Review

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PNY Technologies Press Release

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—PNY Technologies®, Inc. today announced upcoming availability of their 4GB SD™ High Capacity (SDHC™) card. Based on the SD Association Specification Version 2.00, the new SD memory card allows users to select a memory card according to the performance needs of their storage-intensive applications, such as high-resolution digital images and HD video recording and playback. As personal devices gain greater functionality and require higher storage capacities, the SDHC format was created to support capacities of more than 2GB and up to 32GB to gain optimal performance. SDHC cards adhere to the SD Speed Class Rating specification, created by the SD Association, which defines a minimum sustained write speed. PNY Technologies’ SDHC cards are rated Class 4 and can transfer data at a minimum of 4MB per second to support performance requirements of today’s Class 4 (or lower) rated host devices, such as digital still and video cameras.

DxO Labs Press Release

Free DxO Optics Pro Upgrade Increases Speed and Functionality of Award-winning Automatic Digital Image Enhancement Software - DxO Optics Pro v4.1 improves speed and fluidity for greater comfort and productivity. DxO Optics Pro v4.1 is compatible with the all-new DxO FilmPack and is immediately available for Windows and Mac users.

Paris, France – December 4, 2006 – DxO Labs announces the immediate availability of DxO Optics Pro v4.1 – an upgrade to the recently released DxO Optics Pro v4, the company’s flagship automatic digital image enhancement software.  Among the many speed improvements in DxO Optics Pro v4.1, users will be particularly impressed with the increased speed with which RAW images are previewed (2-4 times faster than in version 4.0) and the increased fluidity of the sliders (more than twice as fast). Also of note in this upgrade are the improved flexibility when switching from one tool to another, the increased level of image information available for display, use of screen ICC profiles in preview and a flurry of other tweaks and improvements for increased stability and ease of use.

DxO Labs Press Release

DxO Labs Ships All-New DxO FilmPack for Creating Accurate “Film-Style Looks” to Any Digital Image - Offering more than 20 film profiles simulating the grain and color of popular films such as Kodachrome™, Tri-X™ and Velvia™, DxO FilmPack will be free of charge with DxO Optics Pro v4.1 until December 31, 2006

Paris, France – December 4, 2006 – DxO Labs today announces the immediate availability of DxO FilmPack, a new, complementary product to the company’s award-winning automatic digital image enhancement software, DxO Optics Pro. DxO FilmPack gives photographers greater creativity with their digital images by enabling them to add the effect – in terms of color and grain - of more than 20 slide, black-and-white and color negative films. DxO FilmPack even allows users to combine the color rendition and grain profiles of different films. DxO Labs is providing DxO FilmPack free of charge to all DxO Optics Pro v4.1 users until December 31, 2006.

iView Press Release

Microsoft Expression Media: The next generation of iView MediaPro

Microsoft Corp. today announced significant product line enhancements along with pricing and availability of the Microsoft Expression Studio for creative professionals. Also Microsoft announced plans for iView MediaPro to become part of the Expression Studio in 2007. Expression Studio comprises Expression Web for creating standards-based Web sites; Expression Blend for designing rich interactive experiences for Windows; Expression Design for the design of visual elements for Web and Windows experiences; and Expression Media, the next generation of iView MediaPro which provides digital asset management and unifies team workflow across the suite. Expression Web is shipping today, and the full Expression Studio is planned for delivery in the second quarter of 2007.

Megapixel.net have reviewed the new 10 megapixel HP Photosmart R967 digital camera.

“In the final analysis, the impression one takes away after using this 10-megapixel compact is rather mixed. While the maximum image size of this compact makes it possible to crop out undesirable areas of images and then print them to standard sizes 4 x 6 (10 x 15 cm), or 5 x 7 (13 x 18 cm), the fact is that most users will not fill albums with 8.5 x 11 inches (A4 approximately) prints. However, the physical dimensions of the CCD, and the number of pixels that it supports makes it more prone to noise than a comparable size sensor with fewer pixels. “

Website: Megapixel.net - HP Photosmart R967 Review

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CNET have the first online review of the Leica D-Lux 3, which offers a 10 megapixel sensor, 28-112mm lens, 16:9 format and optical image stabilizer.

“Unfortunately, these are extremely small pixels, which equal extremely high noise. From a measurement standpoint, the D-Lux 3 fares much better than the DMC-LX2 at all ISO speeds, with the gap widening as ISO sensitivity increases. However, that seems to be caused by Leica’s more-aggressive filtering, which reduces sharpness. The good news is that they print better than they look on-screen, though you’d be well advised to avoid serious crops.”

Website: CNET - Leica D-Lux 3 Review

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