Tag: HD

Sony’s Underwater Camcorder Makes a Big Splash

There are many cameras that claim to be able to “go-anywhere” but Sony is looking to prove it. The company unveiled its HandyCam HDR-GW77V last week, a pocket video cam that features a compact vertical body design with a flip-out waterproof three-inch LCD touchscreen. It is waterproof and impact resistant.

The new HandyCam uses the AVCHD compression standard to capture HD videos at up to 1,920×1,080 HD resolution. It features a G-series 17x optical zoom lens and a 20.4-megapixel imager, and will be available in three colors. It hit Japan last month and should make a big splash in the United States later this summer. Video after the jump

Bushnell Turns Flashlight into High-Definition Viewing

It seems like the term “high definition” is used quite liberally in marketing these days. What’s normally associated with television and imaging is used loosely with everything from radio (although the “HD” in HD Radio doesn’t actually mean high definition) to cosmetics (however, Max Factor may have started using that term way before HDTVs came into the picture). Basically, the use of the term “high-definition” is to convey a sharper view or something more enhanced. Bushnell gives the HD treatment to one of its newest flashlights, the HD Torch ($110), a flashlight that produces a 165-lumen output and evenly distributed square beam of light.

The HD Torch is made out of rugged, waterproof, aircraft-grade aluminum with a scratch-free finish, and it’s powered by two 3-volt lithium batteries for 1.5-hour of continuous use. Unlike a regular flashlight that produces what Bushnell says is “non-uniform irregular ‘blobs’ of light,” the HD Torch outputs a uniform square of light that the company calls “High Definition Illumination.

While we don’t doubt the brightness of the flashlight, the use of “high definition” seems somewhat of a stretch. Consider that office projectors can produce lumen outputs in the thousands and that a compact fluorescent light bulb emits around 1,500 lumens, the flashlight doesn’t seem that high def to us when compared. However, it’s much easier to carry this flightlight in the outdoors than a projector.

Bushnell Official Website
[Via BeSportier: High Def Flashlights : Bushnell HD Torch]

ContourROAM Lets You Take it on the Go


Traveling the wilds should be dependent on where you feel comfortable taking your camera. To that end Contour has released the ContourROAM, a helmet mountable camera that will let you roam where you want to, roam around the world.

It features the same rugged cylindrical aluminum body and swiveling lens of the Contour+ and ContourGPS models, but unlike those travel capable cameras this one can be taken in the water, and it is waterproof to one meter for up to 30 minutes. So it is good for getting wet and wild but still isn’t meant for deep sea diving for extended underwater excursions. Continue reading ContourROAM Lets You Take it on the Go

CES 2011: Kodak to Roll Out Burton Snowboard Branded Camera

Next week’s Consumer Electronics Show won’t have any shortage of cameras, but one camera is already leading the pack in style. This week Kodak announced a new marketing relationship with Burton Snowboards, and this will include the release of a special KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera, Burton Edition. It features the orange pixilated design of Burton’s popular Custom 154 Snowboard. So for the fashion forward boarders, it will practically be a match made in heaven.

The camera will be bundled with a camera holster that can be worn on the arm or leg, thus making this an easy camera to access during a day on the snow. It comes with a remote control, rechargeable battery and a 4GB SDHC Memory Card.  This rugged HD video camera should prove tough enough, and it is waterproof for up to 10 feet, and can capture 1080p HD video as well as 5megapixel still images. It features electronic image stabilization and LCD Glare Shield, along with built-in software with USB output for easy editing – so you can put your “dailies” up to YouTube and Facebook. The only catch for those looking to grab one is that it won’t be available until later in January from Burton.com or Kodak.com (MSRP $199.95). In the meantime, if you head to Las Vegas next week you’ll be able to see it at the Kodak Booth.

Kodak Official Website

Burton Snowboard Official Website