January 27, 2008 - February 2, 2008 - Fareastgizmos.com

OKI Automotive LCD Controller LSI with Video Decoder

Oki has developed LCD controller LSIs for small and mid-size LCD monitors that include video decoders compatible with the three major video standards (NTSC, PAL, SECAM) and video adjustment functions. The OKI ML86V8207 is developed for QVGA-VGA small LCD monitors while the ML86V8209 is developed for WVGA-XGA mid-size LCD monitors. These LSIs include the video decoder, scalar, on-screen display (OSD) and LCD controller functions- all in a single chip. The chip includes a video decoder that supports the three worldwide video signal standards.

The OKI ML86V8207 and ML86V8209 are packaged as single chips and are offered in small size to suit automotive entertainment systems that require limited space. The ML86V8209 includes an SDRAM interface to enable the picture-in-picture function for digital and analog video signals, and a line overlay function, displaying up to XGA resolution.

February 1, 2008 | Related Entries - Transport

Sigma APO 200-500mm world's first lens to offer an f/2.8 aperture at 500mm focal length

Sigma APO 200-500mm is the world’s first ultra telephoto zoom lens that offers a fast aperture of F2.8 at the 500mm focal length and F5.6 at the 1000mm. It covers widely used focal lengths from 200mm to 500mm and as a large aperture of F2.8 throughout the entire zoom range. Sigma APO 200-500mm lens can be used to create amazing image expression with various types of photography such as astrophotography, portraits, wildlife, sports. For the convenience of the photographer, focusing distances and focal lengths can be viewed on the Sigma APO 200-500mm lens’s built-in LCD panel. Sigma APO 200-500mm lens weighs approximately 15,700g.

February 1, 2008 | Related Entries - Digital Cameras

Kingston 16GB Class 4 SDHC Flash memory card

Kingston is adding a 16GB Class 4 SDHC Flash memory card to give consumers greater storage flexibility and faster speed to optimize use of today's higher resolution imaging equipment. The new 16GB card is the largest capacity in Kingston's line of SDHC cards, which include 4- and 8GB SDHC Class 2/4/6 versions.

February 1, 2008 | Related Entries - Digital Cameras

New York boasts the most finalists for the Intel Science Talent Search 2008

Forty high school seniors today were named finalists for the Intel Science Talent Search 2008 (Intel STS). The competition, often called the "junior Nobel Prize," is America's oldest and most prestigious high school science competition. Finalists will travel to Washington, D.C. in March to compete for scholarships, with the top winner receiving a $100,000 scholarship from the Intel Foundation. Each finalist will receive at least $5,000 in scholarships and a new laptop featuring the Intel Core2 Duo processor.

February 1, 2008 | Related Entries - Other Stuff

Korean Scientists Build Worlds first Pneumonia Protein Model

Korean scientists have succeeded in building a three-dimensional map of a protein linked to pneumonia, opening new horizons for swift development of antibiotics to fight viruses that have developed resistance to existing treatment. Led by Kim Eun-kyung, a senior researcher at the biomedical research center of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), the team said it succeeded for the first time in the world in using X-rays to construct a three-dimensional map of the FabK protein in the pneumonia virus.

February 1, 2008 | Related Entries - Other Stuff

SanDisk UltraII Line 32GB SDHC and 8GB SDHC Plus Card

SanDisk today increased both capacities and speeds in its SanDisk UltraII line with the introduction of 32- and 16-gigabyteSDHCcards and an 8GB SDHC Plus card. Ideal for today’s camcorders and point-and-shoot digital cameras that can record both video and still images, the cards offer faster read and write speeds 15MB/sec, up from previous speeds of 10MB/sec read and 9MB/sec write in the SanDisk Ultra II line. The 32GB Ultra II SDHC card is able to store more than 8,000 high-resolution pictures or up to 40 hours of video.

Beyond speed and capacity, the 8GB SanDisk Ultra II SDHC Plus offers both SD and USB functionality in one card.. This two-in-one SD-plus-USB feature eliminates the need to carry cables or card readers to transfer photos and videos from cameras.

February 1, 2008 | Related Entries - Digital Cameras

Epson Introduces high-temperature polysilicon TFT panels for 3LCD front projectors compatible with wide XGA

Seiko Epson has begun volume production of 0.74 inch (1.9 cm diagonal) and 0.56 inch (1.4 cm diagonal) high-temperature polysilicon (HTPS) TFT panels for 3LCD front projectors compatible with wide XGA (WXGA). The new panels offer greater light efficiency by employing the latest D7 design rule process, which achieves higher aperture ratios. This technology enables users to view bright wide-screen images on large screens.

The new panels are compatible with 1280 x 800 dot resolution, the most common level of resolution for WXGA, which offers data volumes approximately 1.3 times higher than XGA (1024 x 768 dots). For Internet browsing the technology enables users to simultaneously view multiple browsers or display long pages on a split screen to reduce the stress of scrolling. Compatibility with high-definition screens makes the technology suitable for displaying not only PC data, but also wide screen images such as high-definition playback and content.

February 1, 2008 | Related Entries - Media Devices

Severely disabled people to control their wheelchairs - just by moving their tongues!

Scientists are developing new technology to allow severely disabled people to control their wheelchairs - just by moving their tongues. Experts are working on a system which will let people operate all the functions of an electric wheelchair with eight different flicks of the tongue. A tiny microphone placed in the ear detects each tongue movement and a computer converts them into commands to start, stop or turn a wheelchair. Researchers found the most effective four tongue movements were touching the lower left, centre or right of the mouth - followed by a flick upwards, and licking the top palate. To keep the controls simple, each motion can be made twice in quick succession to create an extra four commands. The earpiece senses each different command by picking up vibrations caused by air pressure changes created as the tongue moves.

February 1, 2008 | Related Entries - Other Stuff

Mr. Bond this high-speed sports car turns into a boat at the touch of a button!

The high-speed sports car Rinspeed Splash created by Swiss genius Frank M. Rinderknecht, 48, at his car company Rinspeed turns into a boat at the touch of a button. At the push of a button a hydraulic mechanism transforms the sports car into a propeller-powered boat. Then an integrated 'hydrofoil' system lifts the car to 'fly' two foot above the water's surface. This high-speed amphibious sports car can swim, hover above water and it's no slouch when it comes to flat-out speed either. It’s the sort of car that any self-respecting secret agent would be proud to be seen in.

The Rinspeed Splash can reach 125mph on the road and accelerates to 60mph in 5.9 seconds. The water performance is impressive too, with the Splash reaching an impressive 45 knots. That’s fast enough for water skiing or knee boarding. The secret of the car is hydrofoil, a nautical technology used to lift the hull of boats from the water to increase speed.

February 1, 2008 | Related Entries - Other Stuff

Taspo IC card a must to use tobacco vending machines in Japan from March

The Tobacco Institute of Japan (TIOJ) on Friday started accepting applications for an age verification card for tobacco vending machines at a promotional event held in Roppongi. The new system requires cigarette buyers in Japan to use the taspo IC card before they can use a vending machine. Anyone aged over 20 can apply by sending an application form together with a photograph and a photocopy of identification. Registration is free and the card will be issued within two weeks after applying. Taspo IC card.jpg

Taspo IC card.jpg

February 1, 2008 | Related Entries - Other Stuff

JVC GZ-HD6 and GZ-HD5 world’s first 1920 x 1080 Full HD hard disk camcorders with HDMI output for Full HD 60p displays

The new high definition JVC Everio hard disk camcorders offer industry-leading picture quality in a dramatically reduced size. The JVC GZ-HD6 and GZ-HD5 HD camcorders are 45 percent smaller than JVC’s previous top-end HD camcorder, the GZ-HD7, without any sacrifice in image quality. Both new JVC HD camcorders GZ-HD6 and GZ-HD5 HD feature a FUJINON HD lens, a progressive scan 3CCD imaging system and JVC’s HD Gigabrid engine that delivers 1920 x 1080 Full HD recording.

In addition, they offer 1080p 60 frame per second output via HDMI 1.3 with x.v.Color. Both camcorders offer a long recording time in 1920 x 1080 Full HD – 10 hours for the 120GB GZ-HD6 and five hours for the 60GB GZ-HD5. They record up to 24 (GZ-HD6) or 12 (GZ-HD5) hours in the 1440 LP mode. Recordings are stored on either the built-in hard disk drive or on an inserted microSD card (optional). Both models also offer a microphone input and a wide range of manual controls. The black GZ-HD6 also features a lens hood and headphone jack. The smaller silver GZ-HD5 weighs just 1 lb 3.9 oz with battery.

February 1, 2008 | Related Entries - Digital Cameras

JVC Mini DV GR-D870 and GR-D850 camcorders with 35X optical zoom

The compact design of the new JVC MiniDV camcorder line JVC GR-D870 and GR-D850 belies a rich set of powerful features, such as a KONICA MINOLTA LENS with 35x optical zoom and a 2.7-inch 16:9 widescreen LCD monitor with automatic backlight control for easy viewing, even on a bright, sunny day. For low-light shooting there is also the built-in Auto Illumi-Light LED. A powerful 35x optical zoom and 800x digital zoom provide great detail without sacrificing quality.

The GR-D870 provides a new level of versatility with Dual Recording and Live Slow features. With Dual Recording, users don’t have to choose between shooting still images or video: still pictures can be taken while shooting video.

January 31, 2008 | Related Entries - Digital Cameras

Sony PictureStation DPP-FP95 and DPP-FP75 photo printers

Sony today introduced two photo printers DPP-FP95 and DPP-FP75 with one-touch printing and in-printer photo editing features. The Sony transportable PictureStation DPP-FP95 or the DPP-FP75 photo printers produce lab-quality 4 x 6-inch prints in about a minute. Creating keepsakes and scrapbooks becomes quick, simple and fun with the intuitive user interface and the 3.6-inch adjustable LCD screen on the Sony DPP-FP95 digital photo printer. New scrap booking templates offer several different photo layouts and backgrounds so you can select what you like and let the printer do the work. To quickly correct common photo problems, the auto touch-up feature corrects exposure, sharpens focus, removes red-eye and smoothes the skin tones of people in your photos.

The BIONZ digital imaging processor in the DPP-FP95 printer offers optimized performance with Sony’s Cyber-shot and α (alpha) DSLR cameras. The DPP-FP75 model offers a new icon-based menu system on its large, 3.5-inch screen.It is compatible with several types of flash memory cards, including Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick PRO Duo, SD Memory Card, MMC, and xD- Picture Card.

January 31, 2008 | Related Entries - Digital Cameras

Sony launches Bluetooth -enabled S-Frame brand of digital photo frames

Sony today unveiled its S-Frame brand of digital photo frames, offering vibrant LCD screens and stylish designs suitable for the living room, bedroom or office. The new Sony DPF-V900, DPF-V700 and DPF-D70 digital photo frame models have WVGA resolution (800 x 480 pixels) along with 15:9 aspect-ratio screens to showcase your digital pictures with detail and clarity. All three S-Frame models support JPEG and RAW (SRF, SR2, ARW) image file formats. The DPF-V900 and DPF-V700 frames also support TIFF and BMP file formats. These two models also feature Sony’s Bionz processor with face detection technology. The DPF-V900 and DPF-V700 digital photo frames are Bluetooth -enabled. Both frames also connect to Sony BRAVIA and other compatible HDTV sets to display your photos in high definition via an HDMI cable.

The three new frames offer convenient features such as 10 slide show variations, clock and calendar views, and two index modes so you can preview several photos at once. You can also conserve energy by using the auto power on/off setting to program when you want the frame to turn on in the morning and off at night. Functions of the digital photo frame can be managed remotely using the included controller.

January 31, 2008 | Related Entries - Digital Cameras

Sony GPS-CS1KASP GPS Tracker Device

Sony GPS-CS1KA GPS tracker allowed you to keep track of your digital photos including when and where they were taken. This tracker has now been updated, and is called the Sony GPS-CS1KASP device. The device traces GPS co-ordinates of video footage on an online map, while retaining the ability to tag photos with location info. The location recording takes place every 15 seconds, hence you can trace your video and quickly locate where a photo was taken. Updated software then pairs the GPS readings of your video/still photos onto an online map, using Google maps.

January 31, 2008 | Related Entries - Other Stuff