Digital

Is It Right That the U.S. Government Spends More on the Digital TV Switch Than Literacy Education?

To be honest, I can't say that I am surprised to hear that the government has allocated $1.5 billion to inform 17 million citizens about the digital TV transition. After all, those uninformed few would undoubtedly take up arms if they missed out on sports broadcasts and NBC's Thursday lineup. However, I was a little surprised to hear that the total proposed budged for literacy education in 2009 stands at a paltry $574.6 million. Once again it seems that our government does not have its priorities in order. That having been said, does this represent a proper allocation of taxpayer money in your opinion? How does broadband access fit into the mix? More »

9:00 PM on Mon May 5 2008
By Sean Fallon
5,980 views, 80 comments

Latest by x23: @Nyle: i'm not rich. but you don't get rich by spending money when you don't have to. of course i will use the coupon and get a converter for the one TV that needs it. more »

digital

Problem: Waterproof Rugged Cameras Are Too Easy to Lose!

Rugged and waterproof cameras are great, but they've got a lot of improving to do in general design before they'll be good in the outdoors. I mean, someone just keep me from losing these things. More »

11:01 PM on Tue Apr 22 2008
By Brian Lam
7,907 views, 32 comments

advertising

Sony "Foam City" Ad Turns Miami Into World's Biggest Bubble Bath

In Sony's new "Foam City" ad, Miami becomes a soapy free-for-all when 120 million gallons of bubbles are unleashed in the streets. The world's largest foam machine was custom-built for the shoot, and pumped out over 500,000 gallons of foam per minute. The commercial is for Sony's cameras, and locals got Alpha DSLRs, Cyber-shots, and Handycams to shoot the experience. The amateur footage wasn't in the ad, but you will eventually be able to see it in an online gallery. While it follows the same urban pwnage theme of the Bravia ads—think clay bunnies and Superballs—we can't help but wonder, "Where's all the color?" See the making-of video after the jump. [Sony] More »

7:00 PM on Mon Apr 14 2008
By Benny Goldman
36,562 views, 45 comments

Latest by Manve: yiiihay this is very bad for the enviroment, but hey, it's a tv ad man!!!!!i mean that justifies it... more »

pmps

LG T80 PMP Packs in Touchscreen, DVB for Europeans

LG has just revealed the T80 PMP, which has the makings of a promising media player, at least for the Europeans. The T80 boasts a 3-inch, 260k color (420 x 240) touchscreen, supports MPEG, MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV, ASF, JPEG, TXT files, has an FM tuner, integrated microphone and a DVB-T receiver, which blows for anyone outside of Europe. The T80 will endure 5.5hours of video playback or 3 hours of TV viewing on a single charge, comes with a paltry 4GB disk space and assaults your wallet at €299 ($473). If you're hot for the player, consider getting your import on. [Generationmp3 via PMP Today]

9:00 AM on Sun Apr 13 2008
By Haroon Malik
2,195 views, 10 comments

Latest by Hvedhrungr: @martini1179: Yowch. The problem I've always had with LG (and hence never bought one of their products) is that they offer the same tech as everyone else, and manage to cram some useful functions into their gear, but then they mess more »

digital cameras

Rolleiflex MiniDigi AF 5.0 Camera Brings Retro Cool, Wallet Bashing

This isn't the first time we have seen a rework of the famous Rollei Twin Lens Reflex camera, but this time the updated MiniDigi AF 5.0 comes in a retro fabulous, red black color scheme. If that wasn't awesome enough, it has a 3MP CMOS sensor, top-down viewfinder, dual-lens, auto focus functionality, 1.1-inch TFT and MicroSD slot. What's the price of this dousing of super cool? About $399 too much—ouch! Jump for the press release. More »

4:00 AM on Wed Mar 19 2008
By Haroon Malik
7,120 views, 11 comments

cameras

Canon Refreshes Powershot Digital Camera Line

Canon's Powershot range just got three new members, all packing 10MP sensors. The SD890 IS (IXUS 970 in Europe), will have a maximum 5x optical zoom and 2.5-inch display. The updated snapper will retail at $399, and boasts face detection, image stabilization and an ISO 3200 mode. The SD790 IS (IXUS 90) will retail at $349; the monetary saving brings a larger 3-inch screen and a lesser, 3x optical zoom. Finally, the SD770 IS (IXUS 85) will have a 2.5-inch display, retail at $299 and offer a smaller 2.5-inch display. Jump for the press release. More »

5:17 AM on Thu Mar 13 2008
By Haroon Malik
4,561 views, 15 comments

Latest by SomeAudioGuy: I'm just hoping for an up date to the S5is. My S2 is a little long in the tooth, and I want to jump one more gen before I splurge... more »

question of the day

Analog to Digital TV Transition: Are We Insensitive To Regular Folks? A Reader Responds

Our stance on the analog to digital TV transition is that most people who can afford it should get a new TV, throwing their 1980s Magnavox set out like so much old trash. But are we insensitive to older folks and the less fortunate? A reader weighs in. More »

6:00 PM on Tue Mar 11 2008
By Jason Chen
19,866 views, 151 comments

multimedia

Celrun TV HD Multimedia Player Supports Almost Every Codec Under the Sun

The Celrun TV multimedia player comes equipped to the back teeth. The HD multimedia player totes Ethernet, WiFi b/g for basic, network accessible storage; digital and analog TV tuners, IPTV support, DVR functionality, 320GB HDD, two USB ports, as well as RGB, S-VIDEO and HDMI outputs. Add to that the ability to playback H.264, WMV, AVI, Xvid, MOV, VOB, MPEG1/2/4 and a whole host of other supported codecs in between, the Celrun TV is certainly a souped up performer on paper. No idea as yet whether we'll see it Stateside, but if it does make an appearance, we'll be sure to let you know. [Akihabara News]

4:25 AM on Tue Feb 26 2008
By Haroon Malik
5,164 views, 16 comments

Latest by Brentis: sweet - i think.. h.264 HD? i.e. I need it to support my m2ts files from my HD HDD Sony camcorder. Will it work??? anyone know? TIA! more »

announcements

Analog Cellular Networks Closing Down Next Week

We previously told you analog cellular networks were soon to be terminated. Well, now it is happening, with many of the major US mobile operators, including AT&T and Verizon set to put a stop to their analog networks this Monday. You might want to upgrade your burglar alarm. [Washington Post]

3:10 PM on Sun Feb 17 2008
By Haroon Malik
5,586 views, 28 comments

concept

Simplest USB Digital Camera Ever

What do you get when you develop a digital camera that lacks one of the most important benefits that digital cameras provide? This EazzzY USB camera concept from designer Sungwoo Park that's what. The device is stripped down to its bare functions—only one button, a pinhole sized viewfinder, and USB connectivity. More »

8:00 PM on Tue Jan 22 2008
By Sean Fallon
16,421 views, 42 comments

Latest by soundengineer: cute, but I wouldn't buy it for the sheer impracticality. more »

digital

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS80 Wins "Best 8MP Camera This Weekend" Award

Our Panasonic pals just dropped a new compact digital camera into their Lumix range. The new device, bearing the DMC-LS80 moniker, will boast an 8.32MP CCD sensor, 3x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom, 2.5-inch intelligent LCD, MEGA O.I.S image stabilization, ISO 1600 (maximum at full resolution), 30fps 4:3 (640x480) and 16:9 (848x489) video capture, as well as support for SD, SDHC and MMC. Checkout the gallery for a closer look. More »

5:05 PM on Sun Jan 20 2008
By Haroon Malik
6,871 views, 22 comments

Latest by oxon: DMC 80 ... whats the price? and if any panasonic have written L on the body that mean it has Leica lense? more »

gadgets

Polaroid Unveils 2008 Lineup: Media Storage, TV and Digital Imaging

Polaroid's CES lineup is a little on the underwhelming side, but there are a few products that are worth a quick mention. These products include the Freescape Media Exchange, the Freescape mobile player, a full-HD widescreen LCD TV, a Wi-Fi digital frame and an 8.0 megapixel camera. More details after the break.
More »

1:00 PM on Mon Jan 7 2008
By Sean Fallon
2,047 views, 2 comments

Latest by lesseffective: I thought the Freescape DVR was one of the most practical and cool devices I saw in my entire 4 days of walking around CES. It really sets itself apart from other HD DVRs. I don't feel like re-posting the more »

giant frame

World's Largest: Smartparts 32-Inch Digital Picture Frame is Aptly Named

Well Hung: When we saw the first announcement of the Smartparts 32" digital picture frame, we were wondering just how good the 1366x768 panel would look. We saw it tonight, and it's super-sharp. It's so big, it needs mounting hardware if you're hanging it on your wall, but it just might be worth the trouble. While it's not as svelte as that unreal Pioneer concept plasma display, it looks reasonably thin, about four inches at its deepest point, so it'll lie pretty flat on your wall. Brewer's Droop: It has 16:9 aspect ratio, not the same as most digital cameras, and it has no Wi-Fi connectivity. Company officials say we may have to wait until next year for sending pics to it online. Until then, not to worry—it's simply stunning as it is.

11:48 PM on Sun Jan 6 2008
By Charlie White
104 views, Comment

dealzmodo?

Digital TV Converter Coupons From Uncle Sam Available Now, Old People Rejoice

Old people love coupons, especially ones worth 40 bucks, which buys a lot of Metamucil. They're also the people most likely to need digital converter boxes for analog sets to receive digital over-the-air broadcasts after Feb. 2009. So I'm happy to report that ~~your gramps~~ you can pick up his $40 coupon for the box here. Or you could just take him down to Best Buy to get a new TV and forego this silliness. [Detroit Free Press]

4:40 PM on Wed Jan 2 2008
By matt buchanan
7,647 views, 16 comments

lcd microscope

Celestron Digital Microscope Rocks Digital Screen and 2-Megapixel Camera

A sub-$300 microscope with 3.5-inch digital screen and built-in camera is being launched at CES 2008 next week. Celestron's LCD Digital Microscope has three magnification levels of 4x, 10x and 40x, as well as a 4x digital zoom and a six position color filter wheel. There's 128MB storage memory, plus an SD card slot. Full specs are below. More »

6:30 AM on Wed Jan 2 2008
By Addy Dugdale
4,051 views, 10 comments

analog

Broadcasters Given the Go-Ahead for Flexible Analog Switch-Off

The FCC has approved plans to allow a gradual transmission to digital television. Analog switch-off is expected on February 17, 2009, but broadcasters will now be allowed to phase the old technology out, or terminate it beforehand, "if doing so is necessary to achieve their transition," the commission has stated. Full story below. More »

5:46 AM on Wed Jan 2 2008
By Addy Dugdale
2,620 views, 20 comments

slrs

Supposed Pentax K200D Pictures Leaked All Over the Web

We previously told you guys about two new SLRs Pentax were rumored to be readying. Well, it looks like images of the K200D have hit the old interweb, and although we have no new word on confirmed spec—the original rumor suggested a 10MP Sony Sensor, PRIME 12-bit image processor and a 3-inch LCD—the images look solid. Either that or someone has some super sexy PS skills, in which case, we are still searching for an art intern. However, we are guessing this is the real deal, click through the gallery to see why. [Photography Bay]

2:14 PM on Sat Dec 29 2007
By Haroon Malik
6,882 views, 15 comments

Latest by ry_ry: The MF switch on the body is a master override. @semi: What a senseless post. If your reasoning were true, why do people still fly WWII planes? Drive classic cars? Have manual transmissions? Use maps *gasp*? I use manual lenses because they're more »

sorry hollywood

Digital Movies Are More Expensive to Store Than Film

Hollywood may seem like the largest benefactor of digital technologies of anyone. While their classic movies were fading away on celluloid, computers came around and offered a means to import the images, make them beautiful again and save them for years to come.

Along the same lines, digital cameras allow for instant editing of acquired material and cheaper materials to capture images (tape as opposed to film). But digital isn't an end- all solution for Hollywood's media preservation, according to a recent study by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences—it's hugely imperfect while costing far more than traditional storage methods. Check out these crazy totals:

More »

10:50 AM on Thu Dec 27 2007
By Mark Wilson
9,141 views, 56 comments

Gizmodo

Rumor Smashed: AT&T's iPhone Black Reference Just Placeholder Text

Gizmodo Team

Gawker Media Network