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Active-i sunglasses slyly capture video, plays it back on integrated display
Interactive Group -- the same folks who ruined our lives last year with Cyber Clean -- are back. Seriously back. The company's latest gimmick gizmo is the Active-i sunglasses, hailed as the planet's smallest standalone video and audio recording / playback device. Put simply, you'll get a set of somewhat unsightly sunglasses (with "polarized lenses for optimum UV-protection," no less) with a built-in video camera right along the bridge of the nose. It's placed there for maximum stealth, and it's capable of capturing up to two hours of low-res video; after the deed is done, users can actually view it back on the monocular viewer, or if you need to break it down Jack Bauer-style, you can offload clips onto your PC or Mac via USB. There's also a TV output, a microSD expansion slot and a bundled carrying case, but your guess is as good as ours when it comes to pricing. Something tells us your local spy store may be more "clued in."
DXG gets vivacious with 1080p Twist and Luxe pocket camcorders
Surely you made a New Year's resolution, right? Right. What better way to keep tabs on yourself than to nab a new pocket camcorder? DXG has just unveiled a new duo of handheld video cameras, so we won't waste any time getting down to the nitty-gritty. The aptly-named Twist looks an awful lot like LG's now-ancient VX9400 (or pretty much any phone with embedded mobile TV support), boasting a 3.5-inch widescreen swivel display and the ability to capture footage in 720p / 1080p at 30 frames per second. It's also equipped with HDMI and USB 2.0 outputs, an SDHC card slot and a rechargeable Li-ion battery. It'll be available around a month from now in pistol-grip (1080p and 720p) and traditional football grip (720p) variations, with a price point sitting at $169.99. If that's a little too Plain Jane for ya, the 2011 Luxe Collection is bound to provide the sprucing you're after. Available in a half-dozen patterns, this pocket camcorder offers a 3-inch touchscreen, a 1080p capture mode and a one-inch thick chassis. Naturally, HDMI and USB 2.0 ports are included, but before dropping your $149.99 to $199.99, we'd recommend thinking long and hard about what hue fits your personality best. Are you more of Maui hibiscus guy, or a Riviera quilted dude? Decisions, decisions. %Gallery-112241%
Sony's CES camera lineup leaked, including Bloggie 3D upgrade?
If Photo Rumors' recent scoop is legit, it looks like what could be Sony's entire CES 2011 camera lineup has leaked. While the site doesn't have access to full specs or photos of actual devices, it does have a list of models with some key features. Highlights include three new Bloggie video cameras: the Bloggie MHS-FS1 which will supposedly be a 5.1 megapixel affair with 4x digital zoom, up to two hours of HD video with a 2.7-inch LCD and 4GB of internal memory. Another Bloggie model, enticingly named the Bloggie 3D MHS-FS3 adds -- you guessed it -- 3D to the mix. The rest of the list comprises eleven different Cybershot models of various shapes and sizes. We'll know soon enough if these cameras are the real deal, and we'll get you a first look at them as fast as our hands can shoot photos. Until then, hit up the source link to peruse the entire, tantalizing text.
Kodak intros Easyshare Touch, Mini and Sport cameras, Playfull and Playsport camcorders
Things are just getting underway here at CES in Las Vegas, and Kodak's on-hand in order to serve up its latest smorgasbord of optical treasures. Without further ado, allow us to present to you the Easyshare Touch -- a $149.95 offering with a three-inch capacitive touchpanel, a dedicated video record button, a 14 megapixel sensor, 5x Schneider-Kreuznach lens and an HDMI output. Next up is the $99.95 Easyshare Mini, described as Kodak's smallest camera yet. It's "around the size of a credit card," offering a 3x wide-angle optical zoom lens, a built-in front mirror (you know, for those glorious self-portrait sessions), a ten megapixel sensor and a 2.5-inch rear LCD. Moving right along, there's the $79.95 Easyshare Sport, which is the outfit's first waterproof camera that can go up to ten feet underwater without any significant consequences. It'll also shrug off dirt and dust while snapping 12 megapixel shots and previewing them on the 2.4-inch LCD. Sashaying over to the video realm, there's the $149.95 Playfull camcorder, which touts an ultraslim design (it'll "fit in the pocket of your skinny jeans," according to Special K), a 1080p capture mode and an unmistakable 'Share' button to get your footage onto YouTube or a social network without any wasted time. The company's also using CES as an opportunity to launch the next generation of its Playsport video camera, with this $179.95 model being waterproof up to ten feet, shockproof, dustproof and capable of logging clips at 1080p. You can also snap stills at five megapixels, and that previously mentioned 'Share' button is predictably tacked on here as well. Speaking of revisions, the Pulse digital photo frame is also seeing a gentle refresh, with this one available in 7-inch ($129.95) and 10-inch ($199.95) sizes. The newcomers add the ability to comment on the pictures you receive from friends and family, with our favorite predetermined response being "Such a KODAK MOMENT!" Seriously. Oh, and these also have an ingrained activity sensor that turns the frame off when you walk away, and brings it back to life when you re-approach. Finally, the ESP C310 all-in-one printer will be selling for $99.99, but so far as we can tell, Kodak would rather extol the virtues of its ink-saving abilities than drum up interest in its cutting-edge feature set. Further details can be spotted in the full release after the break. %Gallery-112240% %Gallery-112328%
Nexus S shows off its camera, video recording abilities
At this point, there's essentially nothing that we don't already know about the Nexus S... except when it'll be officially revealed, of course. But up until now, we haven't had a good look at what exactly the impending smartphone's camera sensor could do. Thanks to an unsuspecting Picasa stream, we're now being treated to a handful of images captured by a Samsung GT-I9020 -- or in other terms, a Nexus S. Better still, someone uploaded a brief video clip of its HD motion capturing abilities, and that's embedded just past the break (horizontal and portrait versions, to boot). Have a peek yourself and see if you're impressed. [Thanks, Anonymous]
Zoom's dual mic-equipped Q3HD camcorder now available for $300
Been eager to get your hands on the Zoom Q3HD camcorder since seeing it on our Holiday Gift Guide? Well, it should now be relatively easy to find -- Zoom has just announced that the camera is officially available at retailers across the US for $299.99. That will not only get you full 1080p video recording, but some high-quality, 24-bit/96kHz audio from the camera's stereo microphones, which the company says makes it particularly well-suited for musicians or those working with musicians -- a fact fully backed up by the auto-playing Joe Satriani on the company's website, and videos featuring the likes of Roger Waters, Anthrax, and Megadeth. Check out a sample after the break.
Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: Video Cameras
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! The team here is well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties of the seasonal shopping experience, and we want to help you sort through the trash and come up with the treasures this year. Below is today's bevy of hand curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. Photos make great mementos for important moments, but a picture of your kid taking her first step or writing his first blog post isn't quite as meaningful as a full-motion video of the event in question. That's why a video recorder of some sort is a must-have, and while your average compact camera is capturing better footage than ever, sometimes you need something a little more dedicated. That's when you need a camcorder, and this year we even have a bunch of 3D models to choose from. Which ones are right for you and for your budget? Click on through to find out.
Gorillamobile revised for iPhone 4
The other day I was editing some very shaky video taken with an iPhone 4, and I suggested that the owner pick up a tripod -- so this is pretty good timing. Made just for the iPhone 4, JOBY designed the new Gorillamobile with an included bumper case (which stays on your iPhone) that slides into a rail attachment on the tripod itself. The rails work in both portrait and landscape modes, and they don't add any more weight to the phone than a regular case. Seriously, if you are going to take video for more than a few seconds, do your viewers a favor and pick up a tripod; they will thank you for it later. And if you never got your free bumper case from Apple, this may be a good way to pick up a case AND a new tripod for US$39.95. Click "Read More" to check out a video of the Gorillamobile. [via Engadget]
Zoom Q3HD Handy Video Recorder boasts 1080p and stereo microphones
Zoom has just outed a new little camcorder, the Q3HD Handy Video Recorder. This little guy, in addition to boasting 1080p capabilities (at 30 frames per second) and 720p at 60 frames per second, also packs 4x digital zoom, a 2.4-inch color LCD, NTSC/PAL TV and HDMI outputs, and USB 2.0. Most interestingly, of course, the Q3HD Handy has built-in stereo microphones, so the camera should provide much better audio than your standard affair. There's no word on availability or pricing yet.
GE goes rugged with Flip-esque DV1 HD camcorder
It's tough for yet another Flip-like camcorder to stand out these days, but GE might just stand a better chance than most with its new DV1 model, which adds a waterproof, shockproof enclosure to the familiar form factor. It also doesn't look to cut too many corners when it comes to specs, with it boasting full 1080p recording and 5-megapixel stills, a SD card slot for storage, HDMI out, a 2.5-inch display and, of course, an integrated USB connector. No indication of a price just yet, but you'll apparently be able to pick this one up next month in your choice of gray, orange or green.
RED shows off some EPIC HDRx test footage
That's EPIC, mind you, not necessarily epic. Sure, Red's experiment in HDR video looks like it'll be a help to filmmakers that want the power / flexibility of RAW in post and some tools to war against motion blur, but so far they aren't showing any of that ultra-surreal HDR stuff we known so well from Flickr. What's that you say? You don't want all your videos to look like they're populated by radioactive creatures on a planet with a dying sun? You disappoint us, person. Go to your room. EPIC can shoot up to 18 stops of dynamic range in motion, with an "HDR" mode for in camera processing and an "HDRx" mode (seen here) for manipulation in post. Hit up the source link for the full res download and in-depth discussion about the tech, or hit below the fold for an embedded copy of the vid. [Thanks, Andrew F.]
Looxcie wearable camcorder will take your lifecasting to the next, boring level
Don't get us wrong, the Looxcie wearable video camera is pretty cool, and totally weird. It's an always on camera that stores up to five hours of video, and is capable of quickly emailing short clips to your various social networks which are anxiously awaiting those shots of you eating your Southwestern eggrolls at Chili's. Once your cam reaches its max storage capacity, it begins purging the oldest video and continues to record. Using Looxcie's app (available for about 10 Android phones) enables you to quickly share your videos with the world. The Looxcie wearable video camera is available now for $199 -- but please keep in mind: watching you watch Some Kind of Monster probably sounds better than it actually would be. [Thanks, Bob]
Sanyo launches Xacti VPC-GH4 full HD camcorder with YouTube, Facebook integration
Sanyo has announced another one of them there Xacti digicams, this time geared for the social media crowd. The VPC-GH4, like its sibling the VPC-GH2, features Full HD 1080 video recording; and unlike the aforementioned GH2, integrates YouTube, Facebook, and Picasa uploads -- as well as Twitter notifications. But at what cost? Well, the newer model sees still photos dumbed down to 10 megapixels (the precursor featured 14 megapixel stills), but then again it's set to retail at $200 -- so it's, like, $50 cheaper. Want a closer look? Want the full scoop straight from the PR itself? Can't wait until it hits store shelves later this month? All your wishes will be granted after the break. But you should probably get some better wishes.
Sony Bloggie Touch preview: an actually simple 'simple camcorder'
Maybe we're a bunch of idiots, but while the Flip and its ultra-simple camcorder ilk have certainly made shooting video simpler and more accessible for the masses, we still find many of these cameras surprisingly unintuitive or just "blah" at doing what they do (Kodak's otherwise excellent Zi8 and PlaySport cameras come to mind) when it comes to UI. After playing with the horrendous Flip Slide HD, we were almost sure touchscreens would act as another obstacle to using these things, but of all people, Sony has come to the rescue. We found the original Bloggie line very unimpressive, but this new Bloggie Touch crop is exactly as easy to use as you'd imagine a one button device would be. That big record button on the front? You press it, and it records stuff. The responsive touchscreen UI takes care of secondary issues, like playing back that stuff you recorded, swapping resolution (it shoots at up to 1080p), setting a timer, and more detailed settings, with four well placed icons, while a touch slider operates the digital zoom. If you hold the camera like a still camera and tap the camera shutter button now naturally placed on the top you can take 12.8 megapixel stills (okay, we lied, there are two buttons, three if you count the on / off button). Despite the slim, sexy design of the camera, Sony still worked in a pop-out USB plug and a full sized HDMI jack. Even the $180 / $200 price (for 4GB or 8GB of storage) is surprisingly good. Just a reminder, in case you'd forgotten: the Bloggie Touch is built by Sony. We'll be looking forward to its October launch. %Gallery-101272%
Exemode DV5000UW waterproof HD camcorder gives Steve Zissou a run for his money
Sure it's a truism, but when it comes to waterproof camcorders, you really get what you pay for. It looks like Exemode's latest offering in that space cuts corners in the looks department, but what the hell? You can't really argue with a hi-def (720p), 12 megapixel camcorder that sports USB, HDMI, and A/V (NTSC and PAL) output, 32MB on-board memory, SD card support, and a $150 price tag. Did we mention that it's waterproof?
Head-mounted display controls video camera, keeps you painfully single
At the University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo, Satoshi Nariai demonstrates something called the head-mounted Mobile Video Communication System. With acceleration and position sensors built into a head-mounted display, the remote camera moves in relation to your head's movements. The researcher sees this being used primarily for videoconferencing where he thinks it will promote effective communication by allowing eye contact. Of course, there's one problem with that -- if you're both wearing large displays on your face, how could you possibly make eye contact? Unless, of course, you paint eyes onto the outside of the display itself, Loony Tunes-style. That said, it's still an impressive piece of gear. See it in action after the break.
Samsung HMX-S16 WiFi SSD camcorder shipping in Korea, due stateside any minute
While it's not surprising that a Korean electronics firm would let Korean natives get the first crack at their latest line of wares, it's not without some small jealousy that we tell you the Samsung HMX-S16 camcorder is shipping in South Korea today. After all, it's not every day we see a sexy black number like this sporting solid state storage and streaming video over WiFi. Still, we'll only have time to be envious for a couple more sunrises. Amazon is already taking preorders for the flagship 64GB model, which it says will ship May 28th for $1,200, and you can get the very same 10 megapixel CMOS chip, 1080/60i recording and 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD in a cheaper $1,000, 32GB package -- the HMX-S15 -- if you can manage to hold off until June 4th.
Brando has the $100, VGA-res, interchangeble lens camcorder you're looking for
Sure, Sony's new series of camcorders with interchangeable lenses might look nice and have "good specs," but are they available right now for under $100? No, but this thing is. Running just $99 from everyone's favorite retailer of the cheap and bizarre, Brando, this Vivikai-branded camcorder boasts an impressive VGA resolution, 32MB of built-in memory, an SDHC card slot for expansion, and a single interchangeable "telescope" lens, which promises to add 8x the zoom and 8x the crazy. Hit up the link below to get your order in -- assuming you didn't already dash off to do so at the first sight of it.
iPhone OS 4 unlocks 720p video capture, further solidifying iPhone HD?
Last time on let's-speculate-about-Apple-products, the New iPhone rumor mill dug up dirt on video chat and a 5 megapixel camera. Now, it appears there might be one more reason to call it the iPhone HD. MacRumors reports that the iPhone SDK 4 beta includes the value "AVCaptureSessionPreset1280x720," leading some to believe Cupertino's next phone will record video in 720p. Mind you, the iPhone 3GS was technically already capable of that feat, so this might not have anything to do with a new handset, but honestly, at this point the iPhone's camera wouldn't be competitive recording in a smaller format anyhow.
Working RED EPIC camera demonstrated at NAB 2010
Well, RED promised that it would be demonstrating a working RED EPIC camera at this year's NAB show, and it's now delivered. In case you're not up to speed on all things RED, the EPIC is a 5k camera, and can be used in a whole range of different configurations from a small handheld setup for video or still photos, to a fully-outfitted camera rig suitable for a feature film. Head on past the break for a pair of videos from the Scarlet User Podcast, and hit up the source link below for plenty more shots of the camera -- not to mention some accessories including the just-announced RED Station. [Thanks, Zac]
