It is unreal how far consumer camcorders have come.  I can remember working on a super blocky Panasonic not too long ago.  The resolution was okay, along with about everything else.  The Vixia HF200 Canon HD Camcorder is like a diamond when put alongside that relic.

This HD Camcorder takes incredible video as well as stills.  And it does it utilizing SDHC flash memory.  Yep, no messing and fussing with tape, DVDs, or hard drives.  You really get the best of all worlds with that storage medium.  You get superior video images with their lens, 3.89-megapixel Full HD CMOS Image Sensor, and DIGIC DV III Image Processor.  That equates to 1920 x 1080 Full HD output.  The lens is 15x optical zoom and has a 3.3 megapixel camera.  The Vixia HFS100 has a 8MP camera is you are interested.  A great little camera for a very affordable price - around $600.

Oppo has been known to put out some high quality AV hardware.  And so people have been waiting with baited breath about the latest BDP-83 universal blu ray player.  And Oppo has delivered in grand fashion.  Take a deep breath, open that wallet, and grab the Oppo BDP-83.

Audiophiles will love the SACD (Super Audio CD) capability.  And movie lovers will absolutley love the super fast play ability of this Blu Ray player.  Want to play a DVD?  No problem.  Audio CD?  Again, no problem.  Want DVD audio?  Yep, you guessed it.  It can also handle other formats as well.  It handles true 24 frame per second theatrical release quality 1080p 24HZ playback.  As well as True HD audio.  But, more importantly, users and testers alike have reported excellent remote experience as well as playback.  I think this one will sell really well.  And now for Oppo’s features and specs:

• Blu-ray Disc - The high definition Blu-ray Disc™ format provides pristine video and audio quality for your home entertainment.
• BonusVIEW - BD “Profile 1.1″ enables “picture-in-picture” and secondary audio features for viewing director or actor commentary while the main movie is playing.
• BD-Live™ - The BDP-83 support BD “Profile 2.0″ and contains all necessary hardware - audio/video decoder, Ethernet port, and 1GB of internal storage - for BD-Live.
• DVD Up-Conversion - The BDP-83 uses the same VRS™ by Anchor Bay (DVDO) de-interlacing and scaling technology as in our award-winning DV-983H DVD player. The up-converted picture quality bridges the visual gap from your current DVD library to Blu-ray discs.
• DVD-Audio - The BDP-83 plays DVD-Audio and supports both stereo and multi-channel high resolution audio programs. Users can select whether to play the DVD-Audio or the DVD-Video portion of the disc.
• SACD - The BDP-83 plays Super Audio CD (SACD) and supports both stereo and multi-channel high resolution audio programs. Users can select whether to output the DSD (Direct Stream Digital) signal in its native format or convert it into PCM.
• Additional Media Formats - Additional disc and file formats, such as audio CD, HDCD, Kodak Picture CD, AVCHD, MKV, and other audio/video/picture files on recorded discs or USB drives can be played back on the BDP-83.

• VRS™ by Anchor Bay - The BDP-83 incorporates Anchor Bay’s award-winning Video Reference Series (VRS) technology, and delivers a picture that is cleaner, smoother, true-to-life and free of artifacts.
• Full HD 1080p Output - The BDP-83 features user selectable video output resolutions, including 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, and up to 1080p 50 or 60Hz.
• True 24p™ Video - Many Blu-ray Discs are recorded at 24 frames per second, the same frame rate as the original movie’s theatrical release. The BDP-83 can faithfully redeliver the original frames using 1080p 24Hz output (compatible display required) for smoother motion and a flicker-free, film-like home theater experience. It can also restore the original 24 frames per second progressive-scan video from well-authored DVDs and output as 1080p 24Hz.
• Source Direct Mode - For users who wish to use an external video processor, high-end audio/video receiver or display, the BDP-83 offers a “Source Direct” mode. The original audio/video content on the discs is sent out with no additional processing or alteration.
• Multiple Zoom Modes - The BDP-83 supports multiple levels of aspect ratio control and image zooming, including a vertical stretch mode for customers with a 2.35:1 CIH (Constant Image Height) display system.
• HDMI - HDMI is an all digital interface for the cleanest possible connection. It delivers high-quality digital video and audio through a single cable. The BDP-83 features an HDMI v1.3 output with 30-bit and 36-bit Deep Color support.

• Dolby® TrueHD - Dolby TrueHD delivers lossless studio master quality audio designed specifically for high definition entertainment. The BDP-83 supports bit-stream output of Dolby TrueHD via its HDMI 1.3 output. It can also internally decode Dolby TrueHD into LPCM and output via HDMI or the 7.1ch analog audio output terminals. Other varieties of Dolby Digital audio formats are also supported.
• DTS®-HD - DTS-HD delivers up to 7.1 channels of surround sound and audio that is indistinguishable from (DTS-HD High Resolution) or identical to (DTS-HD Master Audio) the original studio master. The BDP-83 supports bit-stream output and internal decoding of DTS-HD High Resolution and DTS-HD Master Audio. Other varieties of DTS audio formats are also supported.
• 7.1-Channel Analog Output - Individual analog 7.1-channel surround outputs are ideal to connect to a 7.1-channel or 5.1-channel surround sound system. The BDP-83 delivers an incredible sound stage and an immersive surround experience.
• Dedicated Stereo Output - The BDP-83 features a dedicated 2-channel analog output with specially optimized Digital-to-Analog Converters and output driving stage.
• Digital Optical and Coaxial Outputs - For simple and easy connection to more traditional A/V receivers, the BDP-83 features both optical and coaxial outputs for digital audio.

• Dual USB Ports - Two USB 2.0 high speed ports are provided, one on the front panel and one on the back. Users can enjoy high definition video, high resolution photos and music directly from their USB drives.
• PAL/NTSC Conversion - The BDP-83 supports NTSC and PAL systems for both disc playback and video output. It can also convert content of one system for output in another. (Subject to DVD and BD region restrictions.)
• Back-lit Remote Control - The BDP-83 comes with a fully back-lit remote control for ease of use in dark home theaters. With its ergonomic button layout and clear labeling, operating the Blu-ray Disc player is easier than ever.
• Universal Power Supply - The BDP-83 features a wide-range world power supply that is compatible with the AC power of all regions. No worries about damaging the player due to incorrect power voltage.
• External IR - For integration into home theater control systems, the BDP-83 provides external IR remote IN and OUT ports.
• RS232 Control (optional) - For custom installation, the RS232 control option can be special-ordered at an additional cost.
• HDMI CEC - HDMI Consumer Electronics Control simplifies the home theater by allowing a single remote control to operate multiple devices.

Designs and specifications are subject to change without notice.

It’s staggering how little has been done in solar and wind alternative energy.  I think that shows just how apathetic we are when it comes to such ideas.  However, some folks have recently come up with a pretty neat idea.  It involves making solar cells that look like ivy, as you can see in the flash video above.  But this is also a wind generator, as you will see.

The cells look interesting climbing up the side of a building, but they also generate solar power.  The interesting twist is that each leaf also carries a piezoelectric generator on the backside.  So, when the wind is blowing the leaves, it is generating electricity as well.  SMIT_grow as the project is called, is currently producing a lower design, but is working to get this idea into production.  I would love to see the energy generation facts on this as well as cost.

Paul Fryer is an artist working with All Visual Artists.  All Visual Artists is an unlikely collaboration between Joe La Placa, art world insider, and Mike Platt, a legendary multi millionaire CEO.  They are collecting modern art works that they themselves commission.  This chess set is an example.  I like it.

The iRiver Spinn 8 is still a hidden treasure.  Not many people have heard of it frankly, but that’s not because of its merits.  Its Amoled screen produces striking colors, though it can only reproduce thousands.  It is a touch screen, though lack of oil repelling front material leaves it smudgy.  But it’s still a very interesting player.

Specs:

Sure, the title is tongue in cheek, but the Xeros really will be a very cool washer.  Well, that’s as far as washers go.  But, if you are into saving money, cutting energy costs, cutting detergent use, and saving water, then you can get excited about this washer.

The amazing thing is that the Xeros (Greek for dry) washing machine uses 2% of the energy conventional washing machines use.  It accomplishes this by using, of all things, nylon polymer balls.  It seems that these little nylon wonders have an intrinsic charge that pull the stains away from the clothes.  The dirt is then absorbed into the nylon ball and stored.  Those stains are loosened with aid from detergents.

The Xeros doesn’t use a spin or rinse cycle, hence the energy conservation.  Oh, and you don’t have to worry about gathering all those little nylon balls at the end, the machine will do that for you.  And they can be used for up to six months before being replaced.  A tiny amount of water needs to be added to the wash.  That means that no drying is needed afterward.  Again, cost savings.

You should be on the look out for Xeros powered machines within the year.  Or at least, that’s what they say.

Well, Android has found another partner in the HTC Hero.  HTC has really done a good job of making an interface that is user friendly and sexy.  And the chassis looks great and is highly functional.  The grease resistant screen is great, but then they go a step further by providing a teflon, scratch resistant posterior.  Bueno.

Here’s a good, quick tour from Orange:

Here’s a better tour of the OS, ported to a T-Mobile phone:

And finally, the specs:

The flourishing mini laptop market is getting even more competitive.  Companies are really starting to come to the table with compelling products.  HP is one of those companies.  Their latest offering, the Mini 5101 is surprising in aesthetic as well as performance.

The HP Mini 5101 stands apart from the crowd in a myriad of ways.  First, it keeps the screen small at 10.1 inches.  Second, and this is the most striking, the shell is made of brushed aluminum and the chassis is made of magnesium.  In terms of processing power, the HP Mini 5101 goes for the stock Atom N280 1.66 GHZ.

You get to choose on some options and also get some unexpected goodies as well.  First, you can choose between an WSVGA, or 1024 x 600, and a 16:9 HD screen, or 1366 x 768.  If you want leightweight, you can opt for the 4 cell battery.  Of course, less uptime is the trade off.  Or you can go with the 6 cell.  I know which I would choose in an ultra portable!  It does come, however, with a standard 7200 rpm drive that has drive protection on it.  That means it has a 3 axis accelerometer that locks the drive if it detects a fall.  Can you say yes!

It also has a spill resistant keyboard and is priced at around $450.  The HP Mini 5101 will be a very nice portable mini that will last.

Mobile devices are becoming smarter and more convenient.  The problem with that is they become targets.  And now that your data is mobile, theft is an issue.  But there is a more insiduous theft that can happen.  That’s because it can happen while you are holding the device and not even know the theft happened.

Here is the rolldown on the vulnerabilities - there are a lot:

• Coregraphics and ImageIO vulnerabilities that can lead to a compromised system.
• Exchange server certs that can be accepted without prompting, leading to credential theft.
• International Components for Unicode allows security bypassing.
• libxml2 and IPSec vulnerabilities that can allow a denial of service attack
• Problem in mail can cause an uninitiated phone call “if an application causes an alert during the call approval dialog.”
• Vulnerabilities in the Webkit allow Cross-site scripting attacks and system take over.
• Issue in JavaScript garbage collector allows execution of arbitrary code.

Source: Secunia

Having a solar cooker brings cheap, simple cooking to far away places.  Whether you are camping or without power at home, the Hot Pot Simple Solar Cooker will suffice.  It’s reiterative design has made for a surprisingly hot cooking experience.

The black, steel enameled pot (5 quarts) helps to absorb the sunlight.  And sunlight gathering is aided by the foldable, reflective surface.  And heat is kept within the cooking area by a glass enclosure.  All that adds up to 350-400 degrees of cooking power!  Not bad for $60.

Here’s a vid of Frijoles cooking: