Video Gadget Inspector

The Icarus Project

2011-02-06T01:29:00.000-08:00

The Icarus Project is a home brew project to send a camera high into the stratosphere to take pictures of the Earth from near space. The camera is enclosed in a flight box and attached to a helium weather balloon which lifts the camera to an altitude of approximately 35,000 meters above sea level. The camera is controlled by a small micro computer which takes pictures at timed intervals in various directions. Other sensors to measure temperature, barometric pressure and altitude are incorporated into the flight box.

The on board computer transmits location and altitude data to the ground station. This information is transmitted using radio teletype (RTTY) which is faster and more reliable than CW (Morse Code).

A secondary communication system will soon be implemented using a GSM / GPS tracking device to aid recovery of the payload.

The resulting photographs and videos, which he published online on flickr, were so impressive that Nasa has been in touch.

“A guy phoned up who worked for Nasa who was interested in how we took the pictures,” Mr Harrison told The Times. “He wanted to know how the hell we did it. He thought we used a rocket. They said it would have cost them millions of dollars.”

The UK Met Office sends up similar balloons every day to measure a range of weather conditions but Mr Harrison holds the record for the highest HAB flight at 22 miles (35km). He is working on his third model, which has a rotating-lens camera and a rear fixed-lens camera, as well as pressure, temperature and humidity sensors.

More Info:
The Icarus Project

Best televisions of 2009

2009-12-27T18:31:00.000-08:00

Now that 2009 is almost over, Wannahaves has put together a list of this years best television sets for you.

Philips Aurea II
Third place goes to the Philips Aurea II. Philips has invested a huge amount of time and cash into perfecting its Ambilight technology, which uses clever backlighting positioned around the TV screen to intensify the viewing experience.
You’ve got a 42in LCD TV with Full HD based on Philips’ best-performing 100Hz Clear LCD panel that offers just 2ms response time, claimed to be the fastest available The sound is as impressive as the clarity of the image! . You can be the proud owner of this beautiful TV for just $3300.

SONY KDL-46WE5
The SONY KDL-46WE5 wins second place in this Top 3 TV’s of 2009. The KDL-46WE5 has some genuine innovations with a world-first backlight design and an ingenious motion sensor. This scans the watching area in front of the television for body heat and movement – if it draws a blank for half an hour or more it’ll turn the picture off but leave the audio on. The set jumps back into life when it detects you returning, or turns itself off completely if you don’t. This TV saves you 50% more energy in comparison to other TV’s, very eco friendly indeed. This great 46-inch LCD TV will cost you around $ 1900

Samsung UE46B8000
And the TV you’ve all been waiting for, the TV of the year 2009 is the Samsung UE46B8000! This Samsung TV is for starters extremely thin for a 46 inch TV, just 29 mm at its deepest point. It has two USB ports, Ethernet connection, four HDMI inputs and you can even connect to the internet. The LED technology it boosts produces richer colors and produces a significantly enhanced contrast. The Motion Plus technology tackles the problem standard LCD TV have with motion blur and judder during camera pans, with the Samsung you’ll get exceptional pictures. And it’s very affordable for a LED TV too at $2800.

Tiny Gadget Inspector: The Minijector

2009-12-05T00:57:00.000-08:00

Tiny Gadget Inspector: The Minijector

How Does Video Conferencing Work

2009-12-04T23:16:00.000-08:00

People are always hesitant about change. For business owners-who want to utilize and take advantage of the benefits of modern technology-it can be hard for them to introduce and explain video conferencing to their employee majority will resist the idea. This is because some people in the company-especially those who have been working there for so long-are not open to the world of new routines and adjustments especially involving technology. But, there is still a way to do this-by explaining how does video conferencing work.

To make people understand what is video conferencing, you must make them understand how it works. Basically, video conferencing refers to a communications technology where video and voice are integrated to be able to connect to other people or users that are in other areas. The idea behind it is to break the barriers in communication by creating a way where in people in two different places can talk and see each other as if they were in the same room at real time. Real time refers to the duration where conversation in updated and the parties can exchange thoughts and communicate without so much delay.

For a video conferencing to work, each party should have a personal computer with high memory, a web cam, a microphone, and a broadband Internet with high-speed connection. These pieces of equipment are the basic ones that are needed for a simple videoconference. In more sophisticated areas and business set-ups such as offices, more pieces of video conferencing equipment are being used.
These include video, wall mounts, table tops microphones, and such. They also have more complex video conferencing systems and avail of video conferencing services to ensure hassle free communication during meetings.

Unlike in the voice-only technology, video conferencing enables people to natural conversations using a good bandwidth. A good bandwidth is quite important for video conferencing because it makes seamless voice and video streaming possible.

When it comes to options, there are different types of video conferencing where people can choose from: the “point-to-point” or the “multi-point”. The “point-to-point” video conferencing is considered as the most common and basic type that is being used by so many users worldwide. It uses individual IP addresses and connects two different users from different places directly. This type of video conferencing is quite popular in home set ups and in some other small offices. “Point-to-point” video conferencing also serves as a form video phone to many. However, it can only connect two personal computers.
The “multi-point” conferencing, on the other hand, come is several variations. It has a reflector and a multipoint connector unit (MCU) that serves as “multipoint bridge” that enables two or more three or more users. Here, a central hub is used to connect users and can also serves a “stand-alone” device or as a computer server itself. In multi-point, room systems as well as roll-about systems can be added to the personal computers themselves.

In more technical terms, the “IEEE” standard serves as a guide to the status and development of video conferencing. Here, there are two guides: the H.320 standard that says how the process operates using ISDN telephone circuits and the “H.323″ that explains how video conferencing operates using an Internet (TCP/IP or just IP).

Understanding how video conferencing work primarily depends on the willingness of the person to adapt to changes. If you think that your employee is not into understanding it, it will be better not to train him or her because it will only be a waste of time.

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Flying Camera From Poland

2009-09-25T06:01:00.000-07:00

Camera in six different directions held in place by a gyroscope, weight of camera up to 5kg

The helicopter is operated by two people:
The pilot and the camera operator who has the ability to operate the camera (Arri 2c, Bolex super 16, Sony Z1) or camera in six different directions held in place by a gyroscope.
Helicopter weights 23kg (with Arri 2c)

The Helicopter has the ability to stay in the air for up to 40 minutes
The Camera offers the possibility of filming in the digital mode with a resolution of 12.2 MegaPixels

More Info:

ArtCam

Eye Ball R1

2008-02-19T23:54:00.000-08:00

The Eye Ball from Israel's O.D.F. Optronics is a hand-held mobile gadget with a 360-degree Omni-Directional imaging system, that provides real-time wireless image and audio transmission capacity.

The Eye-Ball system reduces the danger associated with gathering information in hazardous and confined areas such as buildings, caves, tunnels and alleys.

“Imagine your security-men positioned near where terrorists are holed up and you
want to know what’s going on. Do you want to risk sending a man in there? Now,
you don’t have to—an Eye Ball and an Eye Drive will do it for you by capturing
the visuals from the area to plan an offence. These are life-saving equipment,”

explains Eran Tibon, chief operating officer of ODF Optronics.

Features

Omni directional camera
Near infrared illumination up to 8 meters
Captures video up to 23 meters and audio up to 5 meters
Transmits streaming video up to 125 meters
Rotates 4 RPM and can be directed toward a specific target, capturing a 55° horizontal and 41° vertical field of view
Battery powered (operating time is 2 hours; standby mode up to 24 hours)
Wireless Transmission
Personal Display unit that communicates with two Eye Ball R1s

O.D.F. Optronics develops, manufactures and markets a wide variety of innovative imaging systems for Counter Terrorism, Military Reconnaisance, Low-Intensity Conflicts (LIC), Homeland Security, Surveillance, Training, Monitoring and Post Action Review, such as the Gate Keeper, a mobile wireless security system which enables Video Motion Protection and Audio Detection and transmits the video and audio signals to a remote processing and display unit, or the Omni-Directional Reconnaissance System for vehicles, that provides real-time 360 degree images of the vehicles surroundings, allowing the crew to build situational awareness, and navigate the vehicle while being inside the vehicle.

Available from:

Remington

Pinnacle Video Transfer

2008-02-09T13:54:00.000-08:00

The Pinnacle Video Transfer allows to capture all kinds of video and audio files, such as TV shows or movie tapes from any source fitted with Composite Video (PAL-SECAM-NTSC), S-Video (PAL-SECAM-NTSC) or Stereo Audio and transfers them in MPEG-4 quality onto any iPod, PSP or USB 2.0 storage device without using a PC.

Sounds good? It gets better.
Just by simple touching a button, the device starts recording and encoding at high-quality MPEG-4 in H.264 at up to 720x480/576 (NTSC/PAL) resolution.
And it provides with multiple capture options specific for mobile devices, full-screen PC and even video editing or DVD burning.

As an added bonus, it is capable of recharging the iPod battery while it transfers the video files.

Technical Specifications:

Input connectors:

Composite Video: 1xRCA (PAL-SECAM-NTSC)
S-Video: 1xY/C (PAL-SECAM-NTSC)
Stereo Audio: 2xRCA

USB output:

Sony™ PSP® (firmware version 2.81 or higher)
Apple® iPod® Video, Nano and Classic (FAT32 only, firmware version 1.2.1 or higher) iPod Touch and iPhone are supported via iTunes
USB2.0 Hard Disk Drive (FAT16/32 only)
Flash Memory Stick USB 2.0, (FAT16/32 only).

Capture format:

H.264 (MPEG-4)

Capture quality:

IPOD®:

Good: Video 320x240 512 kbps video 96 kbps stereo audio 48 KHz
Better: Video 320x240 768 kbps video 128 kbps stereo audio 48 KHz
Best: Video 640x480 1.5 Mbps video 128 kbps stereo audio 48 KHz

PSP®:

Good: Video 320x240 512 kbps video 64 kbps stereo audio 48 KHz
Better: Video 320x240 768 kbps video 96 kbps stereo audio 48 KHz
Best: Video 320x240 1 Mbps video 128 kbps stereo audio 48 KHz

HDD/Flash memory:

Good: Video 320x240 768 kbps video 64 kbps stereo audio 48 KHz
Better: Video 640x480 1.2 Mbps video 128 kbps stereo audio 48 KHz
Best: Video 720x576 (PAL, SECAM) / 480 (NTSC) 1.5 Mbps video 192 kbps stereo audio 48 KHz

Capture quality:

To view the Transfer Rate Chart click here.

Available from:
http://www.pinnaclesys.com

ad notam Mirror Image

2008-02-04T10:19:00.000-08:00

German manufacturer ad notam has created a line of Mirror Image LCD TVs that consists of a innovative mirror-monitor-system with integrated visible surface that allows to conceal a TV screen that can be watched through glass and mirrored surfaces.
Using patented application of mirror etch together with industrial magnet technology, it fits a TV screen onto an existing mirror or a smoked glass that shows only when turned on.
The watcher gets the impression that the TV and the mirror are part of a single unit.

Meant to be fitted in bathrooms, wellness-oases or hotel suites, the Mirror Image® can create living rooms which present guests with e.g. breakfast TV, Internet, video presentations, stock exchange prices, etc. They could even be set up inside elevators, subway cars, you name it.

ad notam is offering three different lines at the moment:
The New Living TV and Highboard furniture series for unobtrusive home entertainment.
The Bathroom Mirror TV series for small-screen leisure viewing.
The Magic Mirror series offers a smoked glass mirror effect, that conceals the underlying panel until the set is turned on.

The flexibility of the product allows you to even create your own designs that can be integrated as part of your custom furniture.

Specs:

Screen sizes: 6.4 - 46“
Screen format: up to 23“ in 4:3 Format, larger screens in 16:9 Format
Installation depth: 22 - 70 mm
Protection class: up to IP X5 (damp location)
Accessories: Splash-proof RF-remote control

Additional features:

No heat circulation necessary
Magnetic mounting system, simple revision
RS232 interface
Approved FCC, CSA, CE
Automatic recognition of input source
Invisible sound system
It "disappears" when system is switched off
Easy to clean
Lighted mirror version as an option

More Info:
ad notam

Video Gadget Inspector's AdSense Player

2008-02-01T01:56:00.000-08:00

YouTube has launched a new service called AdSense Players.

With AdSense Players you create customized video players for publishing to Websites or Blogs, using keywords or pre-selected premium content, like you see below:

Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

This Post is just a test to see what AdSense Player picks up from the content of the Video Gadget Inspector's Blog.
Comments are welcome.

Alienware Curve Prototype Display

2008-01-14T07:20:00.000-08:00

The Alienware Curve is a curved gaming monitor designed to simulate peripheral vision that has made its debut at CES 2008.

The curvature of the screen mimics peripheral vision. It is made of four different monitors that are supposed to be seamless, although you can see the seams between this monitor's four segments, Alienware assures that the flaw will be gone by the time this prototype hits the market.

A doublewide curved DLP display with LED illumination, the Alienware Curve displays a resolution of 2880x900, is well over three feet wide and has a .02ms response time, which makes it perfect for gaming.

Price is yet to be determined, but being a DLP display, expect it to be high.

More Info:
http://www.alienware.com
http://www.engadget.com

RIDGID SeeSnake Micro Inspection Camera

2007-10-21T06:42:00.000-07:00

The Ridgid SeeSnake Micro Inspection Camera is a Video Inspection and Diagnostic equipment composed of a camera placed at the end of a 3-foot flexible cable that uses a 2.5 inch, 234×160 pixel color LCD screen for display.
The small camera uses 2 adjustable LED lights and comes attached to the cable.

What can it be used for? Countless uses, such as inspecting inaccessible places inside machinery, wiring connections, searching underneath a large piece of furniture, having a peek inside a hollow wall, H/VAC-R Repairs, etc.
It will help you "Detect and Inspect the Unreachable".

The camera head is completely waterproof.
The cable can be lengthened to up to 30 feet and will remain fully waterproof up to 10.
Various accessories can be placed at the end, including a small mirror, a hook, and a magnet.

Features:

Waterproof Camera Head and Cable
100% stainless steel camera head and new heavy-duty lighting
Fully Adjustable LED Lighting
High intensity lights offer better resolution and better illumination
Flexible 3' Cable
Stiffer push rod to let you push your camera longer distances
Twist and Lock Attachments
4-AA Batteries
Comfort Grip
High Visibility 2.5 Inch Color LCD
Protective Storage Case

Available from:
RIDGID

Spy Cameras

2007-10-10T06:34:00.000-07:00

Spy Cameras from Spy Gadgets

Wired:
They have a wire that goes all the way from the camera to the VCR or TV.
They also need a power supply that plugs into an A/C outlet.

Cordless:
No wires but require power, solar power or battery packs. A separate receiver system attaches to your TV, Recorder, Computer, etc.

Wireless:
Air-borne signal, but you also require power, solar power or battery packs., use batteries, while a separate receiver system attaches to your TV, Recorder, Computer, etc.

And the ones we like the most, Self-contained Spy Cameras:

Available in the following disguised appliances:


Air Purifier	Alarm Clock	Ionizer	Mantle Clock	DVD Player	Boom Box

Motion Detector	Portable CD Player	VCR	Wall Clock	Calculator	Lantern Style Clock

Watch this video of how these self contained hidden spy cameras can help you capture the evidence you need.

And of course, this post would not be complete without the Undercover Cameras:

Hard Wired Pen Camera

Sunglasses Camera
Cell Phone Hidden Camera

Wireless Pen Camera

All Available from:
Spy Gadgets

They also offer:

Legal Issues
Illegal use of this equipment is becoming more and more frequent.
Improperly photographing unsuspecting people in places where they expect a reasonable amount of privacy is a felony.
When in doubt, contact a lawyer.

AT&T Video Share

2007-10-07T06:09:00.000-07:00

AT&T has presented its new Video Share service at DigitalLife 2007.
Video Share is a one-way video live streaming that lets you share the recorded images in your phone during a mobile-to-mobile phone call.

In order to use it the service you must first of all check Coverage in your area, because Video Share works only on the ultra-fast AT&T 3G Network.

To start a Video Share call, you initiate a standard voice call, wait until connection is made, and then hit the Video Share soft key on your phone.
The call recipient's asks for permission, and when allowed it, both phones switch to speakerphone mode and start showing what the caller's video-camera is recording.

Currently the service requires one of the following Video Share–capable phones:

It is expected that more Video Share–capable devices will be launching soon.

More Information:
AT&T Video Share

Holographic displays at Siggraph 2007

2007-09-12T08:02:00.000-07:00

A 3D display that allows viewers to see a 3D image on the screen, as they would see in reality has been on display at SIGGRAPH 2007, the Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, in the Emerging Technologies section.

Main features of this innovative system are:

No glasses needed, the 3D image can be seen with unassisted naked eye
Viewers can walk around the screen in a wide field of view seeing the objects and shadows moving continuously as in the normal perspective. It is even possible to look behind the objects, hidden details appear, while others disappear (motion parallax)
Unlimited number of viewers can see simultaneously the same 3D scene on the screen, with the possibility of seeing different details
Objects appear behind or even in front of the screen like on holograms
No positioning or head tracking applied
Spatial points are addressed individually

Optical illusions were offered up by a 3D wide-screen display called Holovizio, which creates giant images resembling holograms.
But instead of using lasers, 64 digital projectors are arranged behind the screen, and are programmed to illuminate it together, in order to build up the 3D image.

The effect works across a broader range of angles than a conventional hologram, allowing several people to view it at once. A hand-tracking system also lets viewers interact with the display, turning the image upside down or back-to-front.

This was the first practical demonstration of a system capable of computing and displaying the 3D geometry, texture, and dynamics of a complex object model in real time and creating accurate, interactive, three-dimensional, animated (up to 25 fps) images in true 3D with full, observer-independent, continuous parallax within a large workspace.

External Links:
Siggraph 2007
Holografika

Blu-ray Disc Vs. HD DVD

2007-09-08T07:47:00.000-07:00

The competing Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD formats aren't entirely dissimilar. Their differences, however, are significant. Blu-ray supports higher-capacity discs, which gives the format more headroom to mature. Blu-ray's additional space also allows movie studios to provide full, uncompressed audio (called Linear PCM) rather than solely compressed (but high-bit-rate) lossless audio technologies, such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

Where the Blu-ray Disc format falters today is in how much interactivity it can deliver in the movie playback experience. The new world of interactivity includes such features as on-demand picture-in-picture displays, the ability to bookmark favorite scenes, Java-based games, and extra content that you can download to your player directly (such as supplemental audio tracks, featurettes, or trailers) via ethernet. Though interactivity is a big part of the Blu-ray specification, the spec inexplicably failed to require early Blu-ray Disc players to have the minimum hardware needed to enable such features. Players produced after October 2007 will fix this problem by adding a 256MB minimum requirement for storage and a secondary video decoder (for on-demand picture-in-picture video).
The HD DVD format, by contrast, specified more-stringent minimum requirements from the outset. All HD DVD players must have an ethernet connection, a secondary video decoder, and at least 128MB of built-in storage.

These minimum specs enable all current HD DVD players to support the format's fun interactive features, giving you the ability to create bookmarks held in memory, even after you eject a disc; to play a secondary video stream (for viewing discs mastered with picture-in-picture extras that you can switch on and off while watching the movie); to customize your viewing experience (by changing the color of a car on screen, for example); and to download firmware updates and additional content (such as trailers or extra features that will eventually be stored on remote servers).

The catch is, these features are not available on all movie titles (see "Now Playing on Blu-ray and HD DVD" for details on what studios are doing on their movie discs). In fact, no HD DVD movie title today takes advantage of the ethernet connection the format requires players to have.

Dueling technical specs aside, Blu-ray for now appears to be a better gamble than HD DVD, if only for the greater number of movie studios supporting the format. For flicks such as Cars, Casino Royale, Eragon, and the Pirates of the Caribbean Series, you'll need Blu-ray, since those films are produced by studios in the Blu-ray camp. But King Kong, Lost in Translation, Midnight Run, and Serenity, for example, are HD DVD only.

Source:
Melissa J. Perenson

Apple TV

2007-07-13T14:57:00.000-07:00

Shown at Fox 7's "Inspector Gadget".

After the release of Apple's new Apple TV, Steven Combs shows up on Fox 7's AM Evansville morning show to discuss this product with Sean McHose.

Video Making Equipment you can make easily at home

2007-07-06T07:39:00.000-07:00

PVC Camera Rig:
This really easy to make PVC rig for your camcorder is based on the figg design of a wheel that provides good control and also acts as a stabilizer because the centre of gravity is lowered. This is all made from easy to get PVC irrigation pipe and fittings and you can make it just with a hacksaw to cut the pipe. This universal rig ALSO allows you to attach microphones, receivers and video lights to the frame.

This simple to make project has it's own tutorial and it can be made in less than an hour and you are ready to shoot.

See the tutorial on how to build this rig

Build your own Mike Blimp:
This really effective microphone wind shield is simple to build and also has a great extendable boom. You will be able to build the entire blimp (zepplin) for less than $20 and we found a perfect boom for $15.

This simple to make project has it's own tutorial and it virtually eliminates all wind noise when you use your shotgun microphone in the casing.

See the tutorial on how to build this rig

Build your own LCD Hood:
Ever tried to use your LCD 'flipout' screen on your camera outdoors?? Right, when the light is bright you see nothing!! I prefer to do intial focus and setup with the EVF but it's a lot easier to follow action using the LCD screen..as long as you can actually see it!!!

It works really well and allows you to use the flip-out screen even in bright daylight and get a sharp clear image.

See the tutorial on how to build this rig

Front-end and 'anti-shock' mic mount for our Mini Crane:
For those of you who are building our Mini-Crane here's another option to build for the camera mount. Both my MiniDV cameras (for some unknown reason) don't have an accessory shoe so you cannot add an external microphone! Even if you did, there is still the aspect of transmitted noise so we replaced the original camera mount on the crane with the rig on the left which holds the camera nicely and also provides a shock-mount for the shotgun mike on top.

See the tutorial on how to build this rig

Build your own Camcorder Mount Rig:
This is simple and it works. We have recently sold all our big, heavy analogue shoulder mount cameras in favour of smaller and lighter DV cameras but you just CAN'T get a steady handheld shot with this small device strapped to one hand. (Even holding the LCD display with your second hand doesn't work that well. Here is the answer...it gives you steady handheld shots and costs under $20 to build and you get the same sort of stability that a shoulder-mount ENG camera gives you.

Watch the video

See the tutorial on how to build this rig

Build your own Camcorder Mini Crane:
I went one step further and ripped a tripod apart and mounted the pan head on my mini-crane cos it's more useful there. No more juggling around with the tripod trying to get the height and position right!! You just walk left or right, forward or backwards for that perfect shot. PLUS you can do smooth pans and you never have to tilt the camera to get a high shot!! Try doing a low angle pan from a couple of feet of the ground to over 10 feet in the air and then track forwards or backwards in one fluid shot.

Watch the video

See the tutorial on how to build this rig

Build your own Camera Stabilizer:
If you are making an action movie and your hand-held shots look decidedly amateur, then try using this unique cam stabilizer that will give you silky smooth footage. Believe it or not it not only provides a lower Centre of Gravity for your camcorder but also compensates for yaw, pitch and roll just like the professional units but this one will only cost you around $30 or less!!

See the tutorial on how to build this rig

Check out this video about the new DIY Camera Stabilizer

Making a Track Dolly:
To attain some degree of professionalism with shots you often need a smooth tracking shot because simply panning the camera looks decidedly amateur. A dolly that runs on wheels is not that expensive to purchase but it really only of any use on a smooth indoor surface. The only way to get smooth tracking shots outdoors is to use a dolly that runs on rails that can be laid down over rough terrain to get that shot you really need. You can build one yourself for a few dollars just using standard PVC irrigation pipe

See the tutorial on how to build this rig

From Sofweigh Multimedia Video Resources:

Home Security Cameras

2007-03-13T14:50:00.000-07:00

Shown at Fox 7's "Inspector Gadget".

Brian West gives Sarah Brownlee some tips on how to spy on the neighbors and those pesky animals using some interesting surveillance technology.

Fujifilm FinePix V10

2006-09-13T15:02:00.000-07:00

Fujifilm introduced the Fujifilm FinePix V10 at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show in January 2006.

Steven Combs shares with Sarah Brownlee at Fox 7's "Inspector Gadget", one of the best deals available in a pocket sized digital camera, the FujiFilm V10.

Rigel 3250 Compact Night Vision Goggles

2006-02-04T16:15:00.000-08:00

A night vision device is an optical instrument that allows images to be rendered under low levels of light, even approaching total darkness.
They used to be most often used by the military and law enforcement agencies, but are now available to civilian users.

The Rigel 3250 Compact is one of those devices known as "night vision goggles" that can be mounted on the user's head with a harness or helmet attachment, holding a pair of binocular lenses which provide a degree of depth perception as optical binoculars do.

The Rigel 3250 Compact weighs under 1 lb. and is over 20% lighter than any other Rigel series night vision goggle.
Both professional and consumer groups can now enjoy professional grade night vision goggle that features a built in infrared illuminator for viewing in total darkness.

The Rigel 3250 night vision goggle also features an enhanced 30 lin./mm resolution and an image intensifier.
The optical chamber can also be removed from the mask for use as a night vision binocular with an optional Rigel 9564 conversion kit.

Additional Features

Water resistant
Shock resistant body
Built in bright light protection
Contour eyecups block side light
Comfortable and safe fully adjustable headmount with flip-up storage capability

General Specifications

Magnification 1.0
Field of view 30 degrees
Tube Gen. 1 +
Objective lens/aperture 35mm/1.0
Detection Range with 1.0x lenses 140 yards
Detection Range with Rigel 9500 Conversion Kit 280 yards
Resolution 30 lin./mm
Focus range 10 in (.25 m) to infinity
Power supply 3 Volts
Diopter +4 to -4 dptr

Technical and Environmental Information

Continuous operation time, hrs IR 30, with IR 12
Dimensions 4.3"x4.2"x2.1" (110x108x53 mm)
Weight 0.95 lbs

Available from:
Rigel Optics

Lightwave 3D

2005-11-13T15:50:00.000-08:00

A veteran on TV, film, and game media, LightWave 3D is also used to create graphics for print, web, industrial design, architecture, medical imaging, etc.
LightWave 3D includes tools to create soft-body dynamics, particles, hair, and fur, plus unlimited render nodes.
LightWave 3D is one of the first animation packages with built-in high-dynamic range images (HDRI) support. First appeared in the Amiga scene and later migrated to Mac OS X and Windows, platforms while the render engine has been ported to Linux. It is developed by NewTek. WaveGuide (http://www.intuitionbase.com/waveguide/home.html) is dedicated to LightWave3D, on the Amiga, the best home computer ever.
LightWave has been used in films like Blade Runner, Terminator2 and Babylon5. Also been the software of choice in the Mimbari wars, Titanic, Tomb Raider 2, The Matrix Reloaded, Blade 2, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, The Last Samurai, etc

Technorati : 3d, lightwave

Sony Cybershot

2005-11-13T11:51:00.000-08:00

The Sony Cybershot DSCP200 is a great camera disguised as a small gadget.

With a weight of only

and m.

It features an awesome 7.20

Megapixels CCD Sensor.

Its software runs both on

I want one.

Amazon.com: Sony Cybershot DSCP200 7.2MP Digital Camera 3x Optical Zoom: Camera & Photo

(Description copyright Amazon.com) - DSC-P200 - Compatible with Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro media; includes 32 MB card. Powered by Lithium-ion battery (NP-FR1); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 2.0. 7.2 MP CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality prints up to 15 x 20 inches. 3x optical and 2x digital zoom for 6x total zoom. Carl Zeiss optics; 16-shot burst mode; high-resolution movie mode with sound

Windows and Mac.

180 grs. and a size of	104 x 52 x 28 mm. it is actually easier to handle than a packet of cigarretes.
It supports image resolutions from	3072x2304 to 1280x960
ovie resolutions of	640x480 and 160x112

Technorati : camera, sony

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Sony Cybershot DSCP200 7.2MP Digital Camera 3x Optical Zoom