Medialaundry Press Release 15/11/04

Online this month is the Medialaundry.com ? the Internet’s first dedicated media delivery system.

Send, receive and share media files across the Internet using the Medialaundry’s dedicated Digidelivery servers, at ultra fast speed and with total security.

Supplied directly by a tier one (100 Mb/s bursting) connection, users can transfer media without the corporate LAN traffic and ISP bottlenecks common with FTP servers. Deliveries are encrypted and only downloadable by chosen recipients guaranteeing security.

Each delivery is managed and invoiced immediately making accounting a breeze, and with delivery from as little as £4 per gigabyte it makes unreliable e-mail attachments and complicated FTP sites a thing of the past.

Visit Medialaundry.com and apply for an instant account.

Medialaundry - Fresh to your desktop.

Fujifilm UK Press Release 15/11/04

Fujifilm launches underwater housing for the FinePix F810 Zoom

Fujifilm today announced a sealed underwater housing unit for the popular FinePix F810 Zoom digital camera, ensuring secure protection to depths of up to 40 metres.

The high impact strength polycarbonate casing is precision-engineered to withstand underwater pressure as well as extreme conditions, allowing you to capture accurate images in tough terrain, such as on the slopes, in dusty deserts or amongst the creatures of the deep. The lightweight design also comes with brightly coloured and easy-to-use controls for navigating the camera’s complete range of still and motion imaging functions.

The six megapixel FinePix F810 Zoom recently made a splash on the photographic stage, as championing a refinement to Fujifilm’s Super CCD HR sensor. This modification, coupled with improved processor technology and a new sensitivity rating of ISO 80, is earning the model a reputation for clearer, sharper pictures.

Pixel Genius LLC Press Release 13/11/04

Chicago, IL - November 13th, 2004 - Pixel Genius LLC releases PhotoKit Color, a new product by PixelGenius. PhotoKit Color is an Adobe Photoshop Plug-in that applies precise color corrections, automatic color balancing and creative coloring effects. With a retail price of $99.95, PhotoKit Color offers a comprehensive set of coloring tools for Photoshop 7.0 and Photoshop CS for both Macintosh and Windows.

Color plays a huge role in how we perceive and describe the world we see, so it?s hardly surprising that one of the first things we want to do to a photograph when we bring it into Photoshop is to adjust accurately or play creatively with the color in the image. Photographers in particular have long desired to reproduce traditional photographic processes digitally using Photoshop. PhotoKit Color provides a comprehensive suite of effects that let you recreate creative effects like black and white split toning and cross processing. All these effects are applied as separate layers so the user can make further variations, adapting each effect to suit their own tastes. But that?s not all! With PhotoKit Color, you can enhance specific colors in your photographs. You can make skin tones less red or lighter. With the Blue Enhance effect you can darken a blue sky and enhance the cloud contrast. And with the RSA Gray Balance set, you can automatically remove color-casts from almost any type of image.

BIOS magazine have just reviewed Nero 6 Reloaded.

“Nero 6 Reloaded is the most complete all-in-one digital media solution available today. The suite includes all of the features most users demand from an authoring package - as well as a whole lot more you’ll likely never use - including tools to rip audio CDs to various formats, record LPs and tapes to CDs, make a compilation of all your favourite music by mixing titles in various formats, as well as create backups, DVD-Movies and share files over a network. Its features are quite extensive, especially considering its aggressive pricing, but it’s not a unified or elegant solution - utilities open in new, unfamiliar windows and have different menu structures and wizards. If you’re prepared to wade through the software’s menus and experiment with all of its options, Nero 6 Reloaded is outstanding value for money. If you only need to complete a few tasks daily, such as author CD/DVDs and create slideshows, Roxio’s Creator 7 is much more approachable.”

Website: BIOS - Nero 6 Reloaded Review

MAGPIX Press Release 12/11/04

MAGPIX Magnifies Product Line with 3.1 Megapixel Digital Camera Binocular

SX3 is the only true 3.1 megapixel camera/binocular on the market, providing professional-grade optics at a consumer-friendly price

AMESBURY, Mass., Nov. 12, 2004—MAGPIX Inc. today announced its third generation digital camera binocular. The MAGPIX SX3 offers a series of innovative features never-before-seen in the binocular camera category and is the first and only true 3.1 CMOS megapixel on the market today. At only $149, the SX3 is easy to use, compact, and durable, making it perfect for any outdoor activity, from sporting events and site seeing to wildlife and nature viewing.

Powerful and sleek, the SX3 offers viewers 10X optical camera lens magnification through its 10 x 25mm ruby coated lenses. The SX3 allows users to take pictures from near to far (~45ft. to infinity) with an innovative lens focusing system, an industry first in a digital camera binocular. The included Light Guide attachment, similar in concept to those seen on lenses at professional sporting events, enables users to take superior digital photos in bright daylight and at great distances. With a shutter speed of up to 1/8000 of a second, the SX3 ensures that viewers don’t miss any fast-paced action - even from far away.

JP Service Solutions Press Release 15/11/04

JP Service Solutions is a division of Johnsons Photopia Ltd., whose history in the photographic industry can be traced back 250 years. Johnsons Photopia has been associated for many years with the leading brands in the UK analogue and digital marketplaces - including Agfa, Mamiya, Ricoh and Kyocera, and continues today as one of the largest, independent distributors of photographic equipment.

JP Service Solutions (JPSS) has evolved into a separate division within Johnsons Photopia Ltd. to provide a real solution to the need for a repair and refurbishment process to manufacturers and OEM partners alike.

Drawing on an exceptional level of in-house expertise, built up over years of supplying, supporting and servicing photographic products, has allowed JPSS to define and fine tune the workflow associated with returned and faulty goods. These processes now incorporate returns management; refurbishment; parts farming; warehouse repacking and faulty unit repair/replacement; extensive in-depth escalated technical support; product warranty provision and Pan-European reverse logistics. Each process is modular dependant upon the customer’s requirements.

DIWA Press Release 12/11/04

Amsterdam, 12. November 2004 - DIWA (Digital Imaging Websites Association), a world-wide organisation of collaborating websites, today has the pleasure of announcing that a DIWA Gold Award is granted to the Canon EOS 20D digital SLR for its outstanding image quality and excellent performance.

The semi-professional EOS 20D provides the end-user with first class professional quality images from an 8.2 Megapixel low-noise CMOS image sensor. The built-in DIGIC II architecture delivers 5fps continuous shooting with a maximum burst of 23 frame JPEG images, bringing the camera on a par with comparable analogue SLRs. Furthermore, the EOS 20D is honoured for its lifelike colour rendition, instant start-up, rapid image display and simultaneous storing of JPEG and RAW files. All-in-all, the EOS 20D proves to be an excellent choice for the semi-professional photographer.

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon EOS 20D

DIWA Press Release 12/11/04

Amsterdam, 12. November 2004 - Digital Imaging Websites Association (DIWA) today announced their first Design Award to the unique Olympus mini DIGITAL construction.

The Olympus mini DIGITAL is a radical diversion from traditional camera designs, replacing conservative symmetrical camera shapes with an indefinable oval profile. Unlike many other design products, the Olympus mini DIGITAL is not an over-priced collector?s item for the few, but a useful imaging tool for any design conscious lifestyle enthusiast.

Despite its exciting, soap-like form, the camera complies with all conventional rules of ergonomics, making it just as user-friendly as any ordinary digital camera. It even features a large dial for easy setting of primary camera functions, as well as a bright and user friendly 1.8? LCD-screen. Being part of the [mju:] camera range, the mini DIGITAL also features a weather resistant construction.

Check the Latest Prices for the Olympus mini [mju:] DIGITAL

Ricoh EPMMC UK Press Release 12/11/04

Ricoh EPMMC UK is proud to announce the appointment of Sangers Group Ltd. to distribute Ricoh’s award-winning range of digital cameras and media products. 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.

Simon Blackburn, Managing Director of the Sangers Group remarked: “The Sangers Group has a long history of dealing with leading manufacturers of premium brands across a number of markets. Ricoh has a very strong pedigree in 35mm camera production and - more recently - in the digital camera market place. We, therefore, feel that now is the right time to go into partnership with Ricoh, and are looking forward to working with them in the coming months.”

The Digital Journalist has just published a great report on the Photokina photography show that was held last month in Cologne, Germany.

“In the first four months of this year manufacturers have brought 210 new digital camera models onto the market, according to Photokina sources. By year’s end, 600 more digicam novelties are expected by marketing experts.

Market projections at Photokina indicate that the digital photo boom will peak in 2008 and that only thereafter may the markets be saturated.”

Website: The Digital Journalist - Photokina: Photography’s Carnival, Part 1

Photo-i have abandoned their interactive, diary-like review of the new high-end Canon CanoScan 9950F flatbed scanner.

“It is with great regret that I have pulled the plug on this scanner review. Although I appreciate the help that Canon has given me regarding earlier problems, after three units and problems are still present, I feel that I can’t carry on with the review.

This scanner has teething problems which should have been sorted before the scanner hit the shelves. Canon must address the problem with some urgency.”

Website: Photo-i

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon CanoScan 9950F

ExpoDisc Press Release 11/10/04

Red Raven Marketing To Handle Distribution

Uxbridge, Ontario, Nov.10, 2004 - ExpoDisc Inc., the pioneer in diffusion filters that allow photographers to fine-tune color balance at capture, today announced that the ExpoDisc product line will now be available at retail outlets throughout Canada. Distribution will be handled by Ontario-based Red Raven Marketing.

ExpoDisc, headquarted in Morgan Hill, CA, develops diffusion filters that provide fast, accurate color at capture. The initial products that will be sold in Canada include the white balance and digital warm balance filters. The filters are designed for professional photographers, videographers, and serious amateurs.

With ExpoDisc filters, photographers no longer have to shoot through extra glass, carry inconsistent and cumbersome cards, or spend hours on the computer in post-production color correction.

DCViews have today reviewed the new 7 megapixel Canon PowerShot G6.

“With Canon being one of the leading names in today’s industry, it should come as no surprise that the images delivered by the new Canon G6 are truly superb. Once again Canon have succeeded in making a good camera even better. Images taken with the by now familiar f2.0-3.0, 7.2 - 28.8mm (35-140mm eq.) Canon zoom lens are bright, sharp and properly exposed with nicely saturated colours without being over the top. Pictures taken with flash indoors show an even illumination of the subject, and if you feel the light is still too harsh you can power the flash down for a slight fill-in effect. The camera delivers very smooth images with very little noise at ISO 50 or 100 and even at ISO 400 noise is not really an issue, as images remain perfectly useable.”

Website: DCViews - Canon PowerShot G6 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon PowerShot G6

SOYO Press Release 11/11/04

SOYO Announces Rugged USB 2.0, 1.8-inch Mobile Hard Drive That Stores 20 Gigabytes

ONTARIO, CA - SOYO, Inc. (OTCBB: SOYO) has announced the Cigar HD20—a mobile USB 2.0 interface 1.8” hard drive with 20GBs of storage capacity.

The Cigar Pro 2 HD20 features a USB 2.0 interface (downward compatible to USB 1.0) to efficiently transfer your data at up to 480 MBPS. The SOYO Cigar HD20 is powered by the USB port and does not require a battery or power adapter.

The rugged magnesium alloy casing protects your data physically with G-shock absorbing capability. The SOYO Cigar HD20 is bundled with specialized software that can compress and decompress data, which enables the HD20 to store up to 40GB of data into the 20GB capacity drive.

On a grey, damp squib of a Parisian day, here’s a more sunny shot taken at the Louvre a couple of weeks ago. I’m not quite sure who are the statues and who are the people…

Click on the image to view a larger version in a new window.

PCMagazine have just reviewed the new Apple iPod Photo.

“Odd, minor limitations keep the iPod Photo from being a killer implementation. You can’t zoom in or pan around your images, and you can’t rotate photos; all adjustments have to be made before you download the images. If you want to store full-resolution pictures that can be transferred to another computer or printed, you have to select that option in iTunes. If you forget, you’ll wind up with low-res images on the unit’s hard drive that lack full-resolution counterparts.”

Website: PCMagazine - Apple iPod Photo Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Apple iPod Photo

WD Press Release 09/11/04

WD SIMPLIFIES DATA STORAGE FOR TRAVELERS WITH SMALL, RUGGED USB DRIVES

WD Passport Portable USB Hard Drives Provide 80 GB of Pocket-sized, Plug-n-play Storage

LAKE FOREST, Calif. - Nov. 9, 2004 - Simplifying transport of large quantities of digital content and information, Western Digital Corp. (NYSE: WDC) today unveiled its new WD Passport Portable USB Hard Drives. With no need for a separate power supply (for most systems), WD Passport Portable Drives, available in capacities of 40 or 80 GB, are easy to use anywhere - simply plug and go.

WD Passport Portable Drives are outfitted with high-performance, low-power consuming, cool and quiet-running WD Scorpio 2.5 inch EIDE hard drives, a rugged, protective case and Data Lifeguard protection to provide maximum safeguard from data loss.

Steves Digicams have just reviewed the 3 megapixel Canon PowerShot SD200 Digital ELPH (also known as the IXUS 30).

“The “little brother” to this year’s (2004) SD300, the SD200 Digital ELPH includes all of the features found on its 4-megapixel sibling, but with less resolution at 3.2-megapixels. This stylish and durable point-n-shoot can be used any member of the family with its Program AE (Auto) mode or one of the six creative scene modes. For those who like more control its features a Manual mode, however it does not allow for choosing the aperture or shutter speed values.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon PowerShot SD200 Digital ELPH Review

Steves Digicams have just reviewed the 4 megapixel Canon PowerShot SD300 Digital ELPH (also known as the IXUS 40).

“The next generation of ultra-compact Digital Elph from Canon, the 4-megapixel SD300 incorporates many of the features found on previous cameras, but adds some new creative scene modes, a larger and more resolute color LCD and increased shooting performance. This durable point-n-shoot can be used by any member of the family with its automatic Program AE mode or one of the six creative scene modes. For those who like more control it also features a Manual mode, however it does not allow for choosing the aperture or shutter speed values.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Canon PowerShot SD300 Digital ELPH Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Canon PowerShot SD300 Digital ELPH

The Slovenian website e-fotografija have posted their review of the 4 megapixel HP Photosmart R507 digital camera.

Website: e-fotografija - HP Photosmart R507 Review

Check the Latest Prices for the HP Photosmart R507