Tech Digest

Mac gets Skype 2.0 beta: free video calls beckon

Mac users are now able to catch up a little with a free download of version 2.0 (beta) of the Skype software. This adds the option of free video calling to other Skype users with a webcam, regardless of their operating system.

These one-on-one video calls can be viewed within the Skype window or in full screen mode. There's also another window so the user can see their own appearance.

Skype have always claimed that their system just works, without messing with settings and hassles with firewalls and such like. Though Apple have been pushing their own multi-chat video system through iChat AV, that's only really good for connecting multiple Mac users. Not many of my friends have Macs (shame) so having Skype with video should make it a lot easier.

Then again, I'm not sure I always want my friends to see me on video...

It needs a G4, G5 or Intel processor running at least 800MHz, and obviously a webcam, as well as the usual requirements. Hopefully beta doesn't equate with unstable - but there's always version 1.5 to fall back on if it does prove unreliable.

Skype web site

Sanyo's splash-resistant VPC-CA6 movie/still camera

For looks, I really rate the Sanyo Xacti movie/still cameras - with a retro-styling that leans heavily towards the look of the old super 8 cameras. Despite that, I'm guessing not everyone wants a device like the new VPC-CA6, which might not be enough of a camcorder and digital camera for your needs.

Saying that, it seems like a solid all-rounder. This latest model is splash-resistant, so you can use it outdoors without the worry of rain or splashing from the pool damaging your device and you're safe to use it with wet hands. It's a 6 megapixel camera with 5x optical zoom lens and a 2-inch flip-out LCD screen. It also records 30fps video in MPEG-4 format, with 640x480 resolution. Storage is to SD or SDHC memory cards - if you can get your hands on one of the new 4GB cards, that's around 4 hours of continuous video.

There's also a Digital Image Stabiliser for sharpening up images, Snow and Beach mode, which optimise settings for difficult conditions, PictBridge functionality and a Lithium-Ion battery for 60 minutes continuous recording . Available later this month, expect to pay around £300.

Product page

Sony launches HDR-FX7E High Definition camcorder

Sony has unveiled a new high definition camcorder - the HDR-FX7E - the first with Sony's 3x ClearVid CMOS Sensor system and an enhanced imaging processor, which it claims will deliver High Definition picture with an exceptional resolution, purity and natural colour reproduction.

Very much in the prosumer category, the HDR-FX7E, which features a 3.5-inch Swivel LCD screen, is 40% smaller and 25% lighter than the first-generation HDR-FX1E and features a Carl Zeiss lens with 20x optical zoom range equivalent to 37.4-748mm in a 35mm equivalent. Its HDMI interface means you can plug right into your HD-ready televisions to see your HD movies. And it can also shoot widescreen 16:9 HDV 1080i video on standard MiniDV tapes, as well as recording and playing back standard definition DV format signals.

Other features include smoother slow recording (thanks again to the new sensor system), good quality still images (1.07 megapixel resolution), extensive manual control over zoom, focus, shutter speed, white balance and gain (for the more expert out there), independent manual zoom amd focus rings and up to eight hours continuous recording time.

Available in the UK from November, a price has not yet been confirmed.

Sony website

Canon's new line of DVD camcorders: DC19, DC21, DC22

Canon have catered to the emerging high-def crowd with their new HV10 camcorder, but they've also announced 3 new regular camcorders.

The DC19, DC21 and DC22 are 2.2 megapixel DVD camcorders that can all record in true 16:9 widescreen or 4:3 mode. As the model number rises, more features are added, so the DC21 has a 10x optical zoom, and the DC22 also has an AV input to transfer content from analogue devices.

Canon already have a DC40 with 4 megapixel recording, but these mid-range offerings are aimed at "busy young families" (I don't think that's a pre-requisite for buying though)

They can handle all the usual DVD formats including dual layer discs, and also feature a SD memory card slot so that still images can be captured even whilst filming. A single-layer disc can hold up to 36 minutes of high-quality footage, or 54 minutes of standard-def footage.

As with Canon's other offerings showcased today, the DC models will be available from September.

Canon HV10: World's smallest 1080i HD camcorder

Hot on the heels of the EOS 400D SLR and new PowerShot digital still cameras comes what Canon claim is the world's smallest 1080i high-definition digital camcorder, the HV10. (If you're not up on high-def lingo, 1080i is approaching the best quality high-def pictures that current technology can produce - 1080 vertical lines but interlaced so it takes two frames each displaying 540 alternate lines to form a whole picture - pretty darn good compared to the UK's current puny 576 line standard though).

Anyway... this is a 2.96 megapixel camcorder and boasts a number of features, some more technical than others.

10x optical zoom and up to 200x digital zoom, with super range image stabiliser. A superior quality 1/2.7” CMOS sensor. DIGIC DV II image processing engine for HD. OK, the acronyms are starting to get to me - but basically this is some impressive kit aimed at the consumer market, bringing the reality of filming in true high-definition.

What else? Instant auto-focus, plus 'Focus Assist' when focussing manually, and the ability to capture still 2 megapixel photos whilst filming.

Films are shot in high-def widescreen as standard (16:9 ratio, 1920x1080 resolution) and the 2.7 inch wide LCD screen lets you see how it will look on a widescreen TV, but it's also possible to shoot in standard definition at 4:3 aspect ratio.

It uses MiniDV cassettes to store footage. I tried to provide some extra technical stuff like how it compresses and stores images, but I couldn't find that in the specs. It's likely to be MPEG-2 compression, which gives good results and more storage, but I'm not sure.

Available from September, price to be confirmed.

Canon unveils DC95 entry level DVD camcorder

Canon has launched what it describes an entry level DVD camcorder - the DC95 - which records to DVD -R/-RW discs.

It's designed to capture your adventures in widescreen, with the camcorder’s CCD capable of capture panoramic movies suited to playback on the latest widescreen TVs. Or, with a push of a button, you can swap between 16:9 and standard 4:3 shooting. In addition, the DC95 also features a 2.7-inch widescreen colour LCD screen, high power 25x optical (770x digital) zoom lens with Electronic Image Stabilisation and variable zoom speeds, Digic DV image processor for improved colour and a built-in sliding lens cover so you’ll never lose the lens cap again.

The DC95 will be available from later this month, price still to be confirmed.

Canon website

More camcorders:
Sony launches high definition HDR-UX1E and HDR-SR1E Handycam camcorders
Sony boosts Handycam range with addition of DCR-SR30E, DCR-SR50E and DCR-SR70E models

Sony launches high definition HDR-UX1E and HDR-SR1E Handycam camcorders

Sony has launched two high definition Handycam camcorders - the HDR-UX1E and HDR-SR1E - both of which can record in full 1080i HD resolution, with the HDR-UX1E using the new AVCHD format to burn high definiton images onto conventional discs.

The HDR-UX1E gives you the option of recording in HD or SD  mode. When you select HD, the AVCHD format  lets you pick between four picture quality options - 5Mbps Long Play option to the super-high quality AVCHD 12M (HQ+) setting, which captures HD video at 12Mbps. AVCHD records onto disc, with all DVD formats supported, imcluding dual layer discs. You can playback by connecting the camera to your HD-ready TV's HDMI port, using your PC along with the AVCHD disc playback software (provided) or on AVCHD-compatible Blu-ray drive, PS3 and a stand-alone Blu-ray player/recorder - when any of those things appear on the UK market.

The HDR-SR1E has a 30GB integrated hard disk and is also switchable between HD and SD modes, so you can always choose which you want. Recording modes are 5Mbps Long Play mode for a full 11 hours, the default 7Mbps setting of 8 hours and 30min , 9Mbps setting which yields 7 hours and a new super-quality 'XP' mode, with a 15Mbps bit-rate. The hard disk can hold up to 4 hours of XP-quality HD video. The SR1E also features One Touch Disc Burn - if you have been filming in SD, content will be transferred to the PC and automatically burned as a DVD; if in HD, content will be burned using AVCHD to create a AVCHD disc instead. Like the UX1E, you can playback on an HD-ready TV by plugging intyo the HDMI port or by using the  AVCHD disc in a compatible player. The SR1E also features Sony's HDD Smart Protection System -  physical shock absorbers and a 3G sensor that can detect a fall,  auto-parking the heads before impact.

Prices and release dates for both models are yet to be confirmed, we'll keep you posted.

Sony website

More Sony:
Sony boosts Handycam range with addition of DCR-SR30E, DCR-SR50E and DCR-SR70E models
Sony unveils DVDirect recorders for PC-free burning

Sony boosts Handycam range with addition of DCR-SR30E, DCR-SR50E and DCR-SR70E models

Sony has boosted its Handycam camcorder range with the addition of three new hard disk models for the European market - the DCR-SR30E, DCR-SR50E and DCR-SR70E - the first two with 30GB drives, the latter with 60GB of storage and all with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens.

The 30GB DCR-SR30E and DCR-SR50E offer recording times from 20 hours 50 minutes in Long Play mode (3 Mbps) to 10 hours 50 minutes in Standard Play (6Mbps). If you want to go with the High Quality 9Mbps mode, you should get around 7 hours and 20 minutes. The 60GB DCR-SR70E obviously offers more - from 41 hours 50 minutes Long Play to 21 hours 40 minutes Standard Play. High Quality mode on this model yields around 14 hours 40 minutes footage.

Downloading is simple for PC owners with the bundled Handycam Station. The Station connects to the PC via USB, creating a high-speed downlink which activates once the camcorder is in place. In addition, the One Touch DVD Burn button begins a completely automatic download-and-burn process. The hard disk itself is multiply protected by the Sony HDD Smart Protection System - specially designed physical shock absorbers, along with a 3G sensor that can detect the sudden acceleration of a fall and instantly auto-park its heads, preventing them or the platters from being damaged on impact.

Battery power is via Sony's Stamina battery packs. which can be boosted via the optional NP-FP90 battery. Using that should keep the SR70E and SR50E models going for 6 hours continuous recording, while the SR30E can run for up to 7 hours.

All models are scheduled for a September release - prices confirmed nearer to the release date.

Sony website

More Sony:
Sony unveils DVDirect recorders for PC-free burning
Sony trials movies on a Memory Stick

Sandisk introduces 4GB SDHC cards

Sandisk has introduced a 4GB SD High Capacity (SDHC) card. It's rated Class 2 for speed and performance and can store around than 2,000 high-resolution images, more than 1,000 digital music tracks or up to 8 hours of MPEG 4 video.

The new cards are designed for the next generation of portable devices that will demand higher storage for our ever-increasing need to carry round our entire media collection. Next generation is the key here - although they look like existing SD cards, the SDHC cards, which could eventually be available with capacities up to 32GB, will only work with devices that are SDHC compatible - which are currently very thin in the ground.

If you want one, they're avaialble now, priced around $200 (around £110).

Sandisk website

More storage:
Memorex goes retro with storage devices
Sony's Micro Vault storage range

Sony unveils DVDirect recorders for PC-free burning

For anyone struggling to transfer all your content off your digital camera or camcorder, Sony has announced two DVDirect DVD recorders, which offer a standalone method of transferring content off cards, video tapes or camcorder hard discs and onto DVD - taking the PC out of the equation.

The models unveiled by Sony are the video- and digital-photo-capable VRD-MC3 and the video-only VRD-VC30, each featuring built-in LCD control screens, multiple interfaces, along with fast real-time DVD recording. And, according to Sony, they're extremely easy to use.

The recorders work with virtually any type of camera or playback device, with various digital and analog video inputs allowing connection to tape, DVD or more recent HDD camcorders. DVDirect can also hook up to HDD-based digital video recorders (DVRs) or VHS video cassette recorders. In addition, the VRD-MC3 has reader slots for five of the most popular digital camera memory cards and connects directly with PictBridge compatible photo printers, so you can back up your camera and do some printing without using a PC. However, if you do want to connect a PC, there's a computer-attached mode, so you can "jazz up" your home movies and digital pictures using the bundled PC software applications.

If you want to get your hands on one of the DVDirect recorders, they will be available in Europe from October 2006. Prices yet to be confirmed.

Sony website

More Sony:
Sony launches CMT-EH20DAB and CMT-SPZ90DAB DAB micro Hi-Fi systems
Sony announces Blu-ray desktop Vaio