DC Views

Sony expands its 3D home line with the new Elevated Standard AV receivers STR-DA5600ES, DA4600ES, and 3600ES and the S1700ES Blu-ray 3D player. The ES AV receivers feature IR input jacks and two-way serial control. They also offer control over IP which allows installers to easily integrate the receivers into the leading home automation systems. They can connect to a home broadband network through an Ethernet port offering easy access to digital photos, music and videos from DLNA sources...

Canon releases firmware update version 1.08 for the EOS Rebel T2i/550D and EOS-1D Mark IV. The T2i / 550D update fixes a phenomenon in which the set aperture moves unexpectedly when shooting movies in manual exposure mode using some Canon lenses (such as macro lenses). The 1D Mk IV update fixes this same problem on this camera and corrects some misspellings in the French and Spanish menus...

Tokina releases the new AT-X 16-28 F2.8 PRO FX lens, that features the newly developed SD-M (Silent Drive-Module). Using high-quiet DC motor and better sealing the quietness is further enhanced. The lens constitutes of 15 elements in 13 groups and has nine diaphragm blades. The angle of view is 107.11° -76.87° and the minimum focusing distance is 0.28m. The overall length is 133.3mm, the diameter 90.0mm and the lens weighs 950grams. The Tokina AT-X 16-28 F2.8 PRO FX is available for Canon and Nikon mounts...

In case you experience some problems with the operation of your Casio Exilim EX-Z2000 or Z2200 digital camera, Casio has come to the rescue... The company has released firmware update version 1.01 for these cameras and the accompanying information reveals that this update "Improved certain operation". Makes you wonder...

Panasonic releases the first firmware update for the Lumix DMC-FP3, FH22 and FS33. This new firmware update version 1.1 offers these improvements: • Improved reaction speed of the touch operation. • Improved speed of the image forwarding at the time of the reproduction. ...

Sigma releases the APS-C Hood Adapter HA1030-01 for the Sigma APO 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS. This adapter extends the length of the lens hood and provides more effective shading when used with digital cameras with an APS-C size image sensor. From today, this adapter will be supplied with all APO 50-500mm DG OS HSM lenses. If you already purchased the APO 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS lens, the adapter will be available free of charge. Sigma also announces the availability of a Photo Pro update for Windows & Macintosh...

Nikon releases a new firmware update for the Coolpix L110 digital camera. Firmware version 1.04 addresses an intermitted problem that caused pictures taken under incandescent colored fluorescent lighting with White balance set to Auto to have a yellowish cast. This has been resolved. Nikon has been busy during the lasts weeks to bring its support webpages fully up to date and you will now find manuals and/or firmware for all digital cameras from the Nikon Coolpix 100 onwards...

Sony releases firmware vers. 02 for the NEX-3 and NEX-5 digital cameras. The new update adds several improvements plus 3D Sweep Panorama. Just press the shutter button and sweep the camera from side to side, and the camera will shoot a high-speed burst of frames that are automatically combined inside the camera to create a seamless panoramic image. Furthermore, this update improves the 'normal' 2D Sweep Panorama shooting, decreases power drain when the camera is switched off and start-up in quicker in low-light conditions...

Sharp Corporation has developed a new tuner module for terrestrial digital & analog broadcasting, to be used in LCD TVs and digital video recorders. The unit features the industry's thinnest profile and most compact size; nevertheless it still offers a worldwide multi-standard compatibility supporting all terrestrial digital and analog broadcasting systems around the globe. The image on right nicely illustrates that the boundaries of miniaturization are reached because of the packaging and connectors and not by the electronics...

BenQ unveils the world's first VA (Vertical Alignment) monitors. The new 16:9 Full HD LED series includes the 24" EW2420 and VW2420 and the 21.5" VW2220. VA LED panels have better color reproduction, ultra high contrast ratio and display blacks more accurately. Although not stated explicitly, one could expect that BenQ uses the technology from AU Optronics as the company has used the same technology in its Home Cinema TV series. The new VW2420 / EW2420 will be available mid-July / mid-August; the VW2220 in November...

Sanyo announces the slim and compact E1403 digital camera in a shimmering metal housing. The 14 Megapixel E1403 records videos in HD at 720p, while the large 3 inch TFT LC color display is ideal for reviewing images. A host of macros with preset parameters for landscapes, sports or fireworks ensure that whatever the theme, it appears in its true light. Smile and blink recognition are included for perfect portraits. The new VPC-E1403 is planned to be available this month at a retail price of €129 and comes with a 3-year warranty...

Panasonic releases the first firmware update for the DMC-FT2 / DMC-TS2, DMC-TZ8 / DMC-ZS5, DMC-TZ9 / DMC-ZS6 and DMC-ZX3 / DMC-ZR3 digital cameras. The firmware updates version 1.1 offers this improvement: • Optimization of light amount for the INON external flash types S-2000, D-2000 and Z-240. ...

Occasionally I get queries from users looking for documentation and/or software for vintage digital cameras. In many cases it turns out a real challenge to find this information, as websites have disappeared, links are broken or relevant data has been deleted. A refreshing exception is the Kodak support site, where even documents and firmware on the Kodak DC40, the first consumer digital camera launched 15 years ago, are available on the net. Some four years ago I explored how its successor, the Kodak DC50, held out to its offspring...

Lexar Media introduces the new Multi-Card 24-in-1 USB reader. Featuring five slots and supporting 24 popular memory card formats, the newest reader is an all-in-one solution enabling concurrent downloads and card-to-card file transfer. The card reader was developed with a pop-up design, which allows the card slots to be protected when not in use, and comes equipped with a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 cable. The reader makes it easy to quickly download photo, video, music, and other files from nearly any memory card to a computer...

The SD Association announces two new high-speed performance symbols for the fastest SDXC and SDHC devices and cards. The new I Ultra High Speed (UHS) symbol can be found exclusively on SDXCand SDHC products. SDXC/HC products with the UHS-I symbol, capable of supporting data transfer speeds up to 104 Megabytes per second. A complementary UHS Speed Class symbol can be found on SDXC UHS-I and SDHC UHS-I products that are designed to support real-time video recording...

SanDisk is shipping its 1 GB "write once read many" (WORM) SD cards to the Japan police force. The SanDisk SD WORM card meets the new archival demands for mobility, long-term preservation and data integrity. The card stores files safely for up to 100 years, as shown by accelerated data retention internal testing. The SD WORM card is available worldwide in a 1GB capacity, with pricing dependent upon the quantity ordered. The cards can be purchased through SanDisk's network of OEM distributors...

Casio Europe presents the new Exilim EX-H5 – hi-zoom digital camera. The EX-H5 is equipped with a 24 mm wide-angle lens with 10 x optical zoom, mechanical image stabilizer using CCD shift technology and 12.1 effective megapixels. The camera also has 2.7-inch TFT screen and familiar functions as well as the improved Dynamic Photo function and numerous BEST SHOT programs. At the same time Casio presents the Exilim EX-FH25, which has been introduced in the US in January. Update: Casio EX-H5 now available in the US too...

Toshiba launches an industry forum to promote new SD cards that integrate Wi-Fi wireless communication with data storage capabilities. The card adds Wi-Fi functionality to digital cameras that have an SDHC slot, and can communicate with the same type of card in another camera. The new card supports IEEE 802.11b/g and has 8-gigabyte capacity and can transfer both JPEG and RAW images. At a first glance, this new card resembles the Eye-Fi Pro X2 although it lacks the faster 802.11 n transmission standard...

Panasonic releases the first firmware update for the Lumix DMC-TS7 / DMC-TZ10. This new firmware update version 1.1 offers these improvements: • Improved stability on start-up • Optimization of light amount for INON external flash type S-2000,D-2000 and Z-240 ...

Parrot has shown the final version of its AR.Drone quadricopter at the E3 show in Los Angeles last week. The AR.Drone is extremely easy to handle, as it is controlled by means of micromechanical accelerometers, gyros, ultrasonic sensors, and it has two digital cameras on board. The front viewing camera is fitted with a wide-angle 93° lens and CMOS sensor with a resolution of 640x480 pixels. The downward viewing camera is equipped with a 64° lens and a sensor that records video with a resolution of 176x144 pixels at 60 frames per second...