Thomson Press Release

RCA Announces Next Generation Audio/Video Jukebox with Advanced Features

January 14th, 2005 - Designed to expand the customer base for the emerging digital audio category beyond the mp3 enthusiast, Thomson has introduced a new line of full-featured RCA LYRA digital audio products at the recent Consumer Electronics Show.

The RCA LYRA Audio/Video Jukebox is targeted at consumers who want all their audio, video, photo, and computer files in one small device that fits in the palm of their hands. Building on the success of the pioneering, award-winning RCA LYRA Audio/Video Jukebox, the second-generation model packs more features into an even slimmer package. The RD2782 only measures 4.9"x 3.1” x .8” but still stores 20 GB of digital music, JPEG images and video content. Like the original model, the RD2782 can hold up to 80 hours of video content transferred from the PC or can record directly from a TV, cable or satellite set-top receiver using standard video and audio connections. A virtual VCR in your pocket, the RD2782 adds a programmable timer function that can be set to record different channels at specific times.

The Vosonic IC Drive IP3610 is both a portable storage device and MP3 music player, featuring an integrated 1.8-inch 20Gb Toshiba laptop hard disk drive and several memory card slots which support 8 different types of memory cards. Although memory card prices are falling quickly, a device like the IC Drive still offers a cheap and convenient way to store 1,000s of photos. 18 months ago I reviewed the original Vosonic X’S-Drive, which I still use today. So does the IC Drive offer anything extra to tempt me to upgrade, and you to buy it?

Website: Vosonic IC Drive VP3610 Review

Colorplaza Ltd. Press Release

Imaging Software that Relieves the Frustrations of that Digital Camera Christmas Present

•    All-in-one programme to manage your photos
•    Shareware download with free 30 day trial

London, 14 January 2005 - Colorplaza Ltd., a leading independent European provider of online digital photo finishing today launches a new generation of end-user digital photo management software, Colormailer Photo Manager, that finally dispenses with the problems of imaging software incompatibility and locating your photos on your PC, and gives a single view of all images held on your hard disk.

shutterbug Magazine takes a timely look at the Photoblog phenomenon, with links to some great sites, ermm, I mean blogs, that are pretty much all worth a lengthy visit.

“In my exploration I was quite amazed at how much support for photoblogging is already available, even though photoblog popularity has grown substantially over a rather short span of time. For instance, websites like buzznet.com and fotolog.net both offer easy means to get started with full support to create your own photoblog. However, with these easy full-support options you are pretty locked into a limited format. So if you want some individuality and independence there are other ways to go.”

Website: shutterbug - Blog, Blog, Blog, Blog, Photoblog

AKVIS LLC Press Release

AKVIS LLC announces the release of AKVIS Retoucher V.1.5 for the Macintosh operating system.
 
AKVIS LLC Releases AKVIS Retoucher For Macintosh
Few things in life stir our memories and emotions the way photographs do. As durable a record of the past as they can be, time, improper storage and tragic events like house fires take their toll on these irreplaceable keepsakes. The AKVIS Retoucher image processing plug-in restores damaged photographs to optimal condition with minimal effort and amazing results. Surface defects such as scratches, water spots, flakes and stains can be removed automatically, just select and click, without the time-consuming aspects of manual editing. Even torn photos can be repaired using AKVIS Retoucher’s digital technology. The wide variety of capabilities are demonstrated at akvis.com/en/retoucher-tutorial/index.php.

The Polish website Fotopolis have published their review of the 8 megapixel Canon EOS 20D DSLR.

Website: Fotopolis - Canon EOS 20D Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon EOS 20D

Imaging Resource have reviewed the Konica Minolta DiMAGE X50, a new compact and stylish 5.0 megapixel camera which features a large 2.0-inch LCD screen, enhanced speed and other design improvements.

“I printed out some of our test shots from it on the Canon i9900 printer we have in our studio. (An excellent printer, with great color and high resolution.) Looking at prints from the X50, I found its output looked great when printed as large as 13x19 inches. While I found the X50’s image noise levels at ISO 400 very objectionable when I viewed its images onscreen, 4x6 prints of my ISO 400 shots by and large looked entirely acceptable, and even 5x7 prints of some subjects looked OK. (The exception would be subjects with large areas of relatively flat tints, such as skies, solid-color walls, etc. In such instances, the colored noise speckles were still quite visible, even in 4x6 prints.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Konica Minolta DiMAGE X50 Review

Website: Read my Review of the Konica Minolta DiMAGE X50

Check the Latest Prices for the Konica Minolta DiMAGE X50

The Slovenian website e-fotografija have just posted their review of the long-delayed DSLR, the Fuji FinePix S3 Pro.

Website: e-fotografija - FujiFilm FinePix S3 Pro Review

Check the Latest Prices for the FujiFilm FinePix S3 Pro

DPReview have published their review of the FujiFilm FinePix S5500 Zoom digital camera (also known as the S5100 in the USA), which has a 10x optical zoom and 4 megapixel resolution and is the successor to the popular FinePix S5000 Zoom.

“When we reviewed the S5500/5100’s predecessor a year ago, Phil commented ‘Throughout my time with the S5000 I was left wondering what would have been like had Fujifilm used a standard four or five megapixel CCD’. Well now we know; a lot better. All the positive attributes of the S5000, from the good design and handling to the impressive zoom range and wealth of photographic controls are now married to a sensor capable of doing them justice. And the result is a camera that offers an compelling option for those wanting a big-zoom camera on a tight budget.”

Website: DPReview - FujiFilm FinePix S5500 Zoom Review

Check the Latest Prices for the FujiFilm FinePix S5500 Zoom

CNET have just reviewed the 4 megapixel Kodak Easyshare LS743 digital camera.

“Snapshooters who want good image quality and ease of operation and won’t miss manual controls will love the Kodak EasyShare LS743, a slim and totable 4-megapixel model. While its zoom range is limited to 2.8X, close focusing, a good burst mode, and extralong battery life make this a versatile camera, especially for photographers whose enthusiasm for picture-taking exceeds their technical skills.”

Website: CNET - Kodak Easyshare LS743 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Kodak Easyshare LS743

Peachpit and Pearson Technology Group Press Release

SCOTT KELBY, BEST-SELLING PHOTOSHOP AUTHOR, NAMED 2004 TOP-SELLING COMPUTER BOOK AUTHOR IN THE U.S.

Announced by Peachpit and Pearson Technology Group

TAMPA, FL ­ Jan. 13, 2005 ­ Peachpit and Pearson Technology Group today announced the results of research based on Nielsen Bookscan data for the calendar year 2004 indicating Scott Kelby is the number one, top-selling computer book author in the U.S. exceeding Microsoft Press, Andy Rathbone, and David Pogue in Bookscan units and dollars sold in 2004. Kelby is widely recognized as the world¹s best-selling Photoshop how-to book author, a digital imaging guru, and president of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals.

Vosonic Press Release

VOSONIC X’S-DRIVE II Plus VP2160

9in1 Portable Storage Device with 20GB to 80GB Capacity
Fast transfers from memory card to the HD
LCD Panel
Long battery life

Cardmedia (Europe) Ltd, the official UK distributor for the manufacturer Vosonic, has announced the availability of the X’S-Drive II Plus VP2160, a new Portable Storage Device with LCD display, which is to replace the popular XS Drive II VP2060.

The X’S-Drive II Plus VP2160 remains a 2 button operation unit; “Power on / off” and “Copy” with an LCD display for file transfer status, battery power level, capacity on the HD left.

The X’S-Drive II Plus VP2160 allows the transfer of pictures and any other file from any memory card including xD picture cards via the 2 multi-memory card slots to its internal 2.5 inches hard drive.

Konica Minolta Japan yesterday announced a new waterproof digital camera. The 4 megapixel DG-5W is waterproof down to 1.5 meters, dustproof and shockproof. Sporting a 2 inch LCD screen and 28-78mm lens, the DG-5W will launch in March costing ¥80,000. No word yet on availability/price outside Japan.

Business Week Online of all places discusses the ways in which you can rescue digital photos that you think are lost from your memory cards. Touch wood, I’ve never actually experienced losing photos due to a faulty card, but if you have this article recommends several software packages that may help you to recover your images:

“I loaded three of the programs—RescuePRO, Image Rescue, and ImageRecall—onto my computer and used them to recover my pictures from a CompactFlash card. I was unable to deliberately damage the card, but I “lost” individual images by opening the card access door on my camera while it was still writing the image and index data to the card. Neither the camera nor my computer could see the pictures, but all three programs could find them and write them to the computer’s hard drive. I also reformatted the card: The software still found pictures, including a hundred or so that I’d deleted months ago.”

Thanks to Sanj for the link.

Website: Business Week Online - Lost Your Digital Photos? Stay Calm

Nikon have just released a new firmware version for the Coolwalker MSV-01, a 30GB portable image storage device for the organisation of digital images.

Issues addressed with firmware version 1.2:

In some instances, image data recorded to certain Lexar Media CompactFlash memory cards could not be copied to the COOLWALKER.

When RAW or TIFF images captured with the D2H were displayed in full-screen playback, the image displayed in the monitor sometimes did not fill the entire screen.

Website: Nikon Coolwalker Firmware - Windows

Website: Nikon Coolwalker Firmware - MAC

The German website Photoworld have reviewed the 7 megapixel Pentax Optio750Z.

Website: Photoworld - Pentax Optio750Z Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Pentax Optio750Z

I’ve completely overlooked Mike Johnston’s “Sunday Morning Photographer” column, which this month takes a look at Pentax and the *ist DS DSLR camera.

“So what does the Pentax DS offer to make it special? What unique feature sets it apart? Nothing! That’s right, nothing.

Well, actually I suppose you could say small size, which as I say is a longtime hallmark of Pentax products. The *ist DS is the smallest, lightest digital SLR so far. But beyond that, there’s no special feature to grab the fickle attention of the buying public. It hasn’t got anti-shake. No sensor-cleaner. The Canon 20D has better image quality, if only marginally. Several cameras focus somewhat faster. You can get slightly better value out of a couple of others. The DS is not the quietest, the fanciest, the most feature-laden, the most special in any way. Except one…”

Website: Sunday Morning Photographer: The K-1000 of Digital SLRs

Check the Latest Prices for the Pentax *ist DS

Are you looking to buy a digital cmaera, but you’re not sure how much you should spend and what you can actually expect for your money? PCWorld have a handy guide to the lower-end price points (less than $300), detailing what features you can get and recommending some specific models.

“Today, the price of a 5- or 6-megapixel point-and-shoot digital camera has dropped below what a 4-megapixel camera was selling for less than a year ago. Take the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P150, for example. When it debuted, this 7-megapixel model sold for $500. Today, you can find it at some online retailers for $369—a price drop of 26 percent.

What should you expect to spend for a digital camera? How low can you go?”

PCWorld: Digital Cameras: How Low Can You Go?

Imaging Resource have reviewed the Fujifilm FinePix A330 Zoom, a digital camera that offers 3 million effective pixel resolution, 3x optical zoom and a sturdy but stylish body.

“Known for great color and performance, Fuji has also carved out a niche for itself by consistently providing good-quality consumer digicams at rock-bottom prices. The latest in their line of bargain-priced cameras is the Fuji FinePix A330, a 3.2-megapixel digital camera. The Fuji A330 carries on the value-leading tradition of Fuji digital cameras by offering a 3.2-megapixel CCD and 3x optical zoom lens at a low price, and including a longer maximum exposure time of two seconds and four preset scene modes. As you’d expect, the Fuji FinePix A330 trades off a few features and capabilities to achieve its remarkably low cost, but the camera still takes reasonably good-looking pictures in daylight conditions, and is simple enough for even rank beginners to get started with.”

Website: Imaging Resource - Fujifilm FinePix A330 Zoom Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Fuji FinePix A330 Zoom

The Czech website FotoAparat.cz have published their review of the Ricoh Caplio R1 digital camera.

Website: FotoAparat.cz - Ricoh Caplio R1 Review

Website: Read my Review of the Ricoh Caplio R1