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Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Intel 330 Series SSDs official, prices start at $89

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/16/intel-330-series-ssds-official-prices-start-at-89/

Been holding off on stuffing solid state storage into your existing machine because of high prices or reliability issues? Bargain hunters, your SSD may have just arrived in the form of Intel's 330 Series SSDs. We got the low down on them weeks ago, but in case you forgot, Intels new 25nm NAND entry utilizes a SATA 6 Gb/s connection to deliver up to 500 MB/s sequential reads and 450 MB/s writes. Such speeds aren't spectacular compared to other SSDs, but combine them with Chipzilla's reputation for crafting quality drives, low prices -- $89 for 60GB, $149 for 120GB, and $234 for 180GB -- and a three year warranty, and the 330 has some serious curb appeal. Want one? All three sizes available now online or at you local retailer (assuming it's still there, of course).

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Intel 330 Series SSDs official, prices start at $89 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RED 9-inch touchscreen, OLED EVF and Meizler Module eyes-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/16/red-epic-oled-evf-9-inch-touchscreen/

Deep-pocketed RED owners take heed. The company just demoed some pretty nifty module updates, including an OLED EVF, a new 9-inch touchscreen and the crown jewel Meizler Module, which brings to the table such features as wireless 1080p transmission, a wireless timecode transceiver and full wireless lens control -- we're particularly taken with that last feature, which effectively enables remote-controlled follow focus, aperture and zoom control. The new 9-inch will also come in handy with wireless control, making it easier to verify sharpness and exposure. It features the same touch functionality of its smaller sibling, giving you full control of the camera.

The display will likely draw some attention when mounted on an EPIC , which is noticeably smaller than the LCD itself, but once you toss on a lens and power pack, the rig looks slightly better proportioned. That's the good news. The bad news is the price -- you're looking at a cool $13,000 for that wireless module, which is named after its designer, assistant camera Steven Meizler, while the Bomb OLED EVF can be had as an upgrade for $1,200 (if you're willing to trade in your LCD version), or $3,900 if you plan to buy it outright. You can head over to the Red Store to pick that device up today, though you'll need to hang tight for the Meizler and 9-inch LCD, both of which are expected to launch later this year. You'll get an up-close look at all the new gear in the gallery below, and you'll also find a video overview with RED's Ted Schilowitz when you venture past the break.

Gallery: RED 9-inch touchscreen, OLED EVF and Meizler Module eyes-on

Continue reading RED 9-inch touchscreen, OLED EVF and Meizler Module eyes-on (video)

RED 9-inch touchscreen, OLED EVF and Meizler Module eyes-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday, April 16, 2012

Magnetic Super-Paper Can Shrug Off Water and Bacteria [Science]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5902300/magnetic-super+paper-can-shrug-off-water-and-bacteria

Magnetic Super-Paper Can Shrug Off Water and Bacteria Without changing its physical or functional properties, researchers at Italy's Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia have created the superhero of papers that's waterproof, antibacterial, and magnetic. Which will completely revolutionize how your kids can stick their artwork to the fridge.

The secret lies with a special mixture of individual molecules, or monomers, in paper fiber and the future of seemingly all technologies—nanoparticles. The resulting compound, known as a polymetric matrix, is actually made with different types of nanoparticles, and when applied to regular paper it completely covers the fibers on the microscopic level, creating a protective shell.

When iron oxide nanoparticles are added to the mix, the resulting paper has magnetic properties. And when silver nanoparticles are added, the paper fights off bacteria and other microscopic organisms. The paper can even be turned fluorescent using the right particles, and is completely waterproof making it ideal for high security applications like bank notes, or for printing long-lasting historical documents. We particularly like the idea of special waiting room wallpaper which helps stop the spread of disease in a doctor's office. [Journal of Materials Chemistry via Forbes]

BlackMagic Cinema Camera: Whopping 2.5K Resolution for Under $3000 [Cameras]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5902337/blackmagic-teases-cinema-camera-whopping-25k-resolution-for-under-3000

Post-production hardware and software company Black Magic Design has just announced their entry in the camera-making business with their Cinema Camera. The cam rocks 2.5K recording in RAW formats, meaning the image won't suffer due to in-camera compression and will presumably preserve extremely broad dynamic range. More impressive, though, is the price tag.

The Cinema Camera's $3000 asking price is insanely cheap, given that it packs features that the most high-end video capable DSLRs have thus far lacked. One of the biggest complaints against cameras like the Canon 5D Mark II and Mark III is that the h.264 compression really muddies up the image. The BlackMagic Cinema Camera's RAW workflow looks to eliminate that.

Notable specs include:

Shooting resolution: RAW at 2.5k (2432 x 1366)
Frame rates: 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p
Sensor size: 16.64 mm x 14.04 mm (significantly smaller than DLSR sensors)
Lens mount: EF and ZF mount compatible with electronic iris control
Battery: Integrated Li-Ion with 90 minute life
Recording Formats: RAW 2.5K CinemaDNG, Apple ProRes (compressed), Avid DNxHD (compressed). All compressed recording in 1920x1080 10-bit YUV with choice of Film or Video Dynamic Range.
Storage: Removable 2.5" SSD
The guy with the inside scoop on Black Magic's new device is Director of Photography John Brawley. He's been toying around with the camera and has reported copious notes on his blog. He also has a bunch of footage that he shot, all of which looks extremely promising. We can't wait to check it out for ourselves when it ships this July. [Black Magic Design]

Images via John Brawley, Black Magic Design

Canon Cinema EOS-1D C 4K camera hands-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/15/canon-cinema-eos-1d-c-hands-on/

It's been but half a year since Canon first entered the motion picture market, and the company is already back with its second and third professional video rigs. The Cinema EOS-1D C marks the most drastic departure from the C300, which launched last November at an elaborate Hollywood event at Paramount Studios. It was at this spectacle that we were first introduced to the 1D C, which was then but a glass-protected prototype. Now, far sooner than expected, the (relatively) compact camera is making its return to the spotlight, in more polished form. Like the 1D series bodies that bear similar monikers and appearances, including the yet-to-ship EOS- 1D X, the C model is a very capable still shooter, offering the same core functionality of the $6,800 X. It also brings 4K capture to the table, however, prompting Canon to price the camera far above its less-abled counterpart. At $15,000, we don't expect to see red C logos popping up in many a photojournalist's gear bag, but for deep-pocketed professionals with a need to capture 4K clips, this may be a worthwhile acquisition.

We took a closer look at the 1D C at Canon's pre-NAB event in Las Vegas. As the pictures and spec sheet imply, it's the 1D X's clone in nearly every way. In fact, beyond the headphone jack and C logo, there's not much distinguishing the pair externally. You'll need to hop into the menu before you'll really notice a difference, in the form! of seve ral unique 4K shooting modes, including 8-bit 4:2:2 24fps captures to a CF card or 8-bit 4:2:2 clips in an uncompressed format over HDMI. Otherwise, the C looks and feels just like the X -- a model pro snapper that we've already managed to fondle on three continents under Canon's watchful eye, but still has yet to ship. Both cameras are gorgeous externally, with slight design tweaks yet no drastic overhaul, dating back to the very first EOS-1D. If you haven't had a chance to gawk at either model, you'll at very least be able to check out the 1D C at Canon's booth this week at NAB . We're hoping to see both cameras hit the market sometime in 2012, and who knows -- this Cinema EOS could even be the first next-gen 1D to ship. Take a closer look in the gallery below, and in our hands-on video after the break.

Gallery: Canon Cinema EOS-1D C hands-on