Panasonic Launches HC-MDH2 And HC-MDH2M Wedding Cameras For Rs 79,990 And Rs 84,990

Panasonic has launched two new movie cameras in its Wedding Camera line-up in India well in advance of the wedding season. The models HC-MDH2 and HC-MDH2M unveiled today differ in only the storage aspect with the former having two SDXC card slots, thus at least theoretically supporting up to 2 TB in each slot, while the maximum capacity of such a card available today is 256 GB. The latter sports an internal storage of 32 GB and an SDXC card slot for expandability. In my opinion, it does make better sense to have internal storage as well as external storage when it comes to Full HD recording that these cameras support. Other than the storage factor, the cameras are virtually identical.

Manish Sharma, MD, Panasonic India said during the event,

"With technology constantly changing it allows our brand to push boundaries and create new and exciting products that are customised according to the needs and requirements of the Indian market. With the newly launched wedding camcorder in our AVC cam range, we plan to take customer experiences to the next level making it special by providing them with a rich photographic experience".

The new cameras feature powerful 21x optical zoom and 50x Intelligent Zoom, along with advanced shooting performance for photos as well as movies in Full HD (1080 pixels height). The 5-Axis Hybrid O.I.S. + (optical image stabilisation) and Level Shot Function make sure that you don't have to worry about blurry images due to shaky hands. Additionally, it supports simultaneous recording in the dual memory devices so that videos and images are always backed up. Low light performance has been improved, thanks to the new high-sensitivity sensor that is 1.3 times as sensitive as sensors used in conventional models.

The cameras come with an easy-to-view large 3.0" LCD screen with intuitive touchscreen interface. The recording can be backed to an external hard drive without the need of a computer. With Eye-Fi compatibility, these can also connect to Wi-Fi devices to save files recorded on the card to a PC or upload them to social networks. They are designed with ergonomics and hours of sustained usage in mind with the acclaimed "Ergonomic Stable 4-point Support Design", which are essential attributes while capturing lengthy special occasions such as weddings. Here are some of the salient features of the two cameras:

• 1/2.33-type (17.52M) S-FSI sensor
• 5-Axis Hybrid O.I.S. + Level Shot Function 
• F1.8-F3.5 
• 3.0" LCD (460K) 
• Manual ring (Focus, Zoom, Iris, White Balance, Shutter Speed) 
• 28 mm wide-angle lens for covering a larger shooting area in indoor shooting 
• 21x optical zoom for capturing close-up images of subjects that you cannot get close to and 50x iZoom (1400 mm) 
• Large lens and lens-emphasized design 
• Light weight for easy handling & easy to use LCD layout

The Panasonic HC-MDH2 and HC-MDH2M are available at Rs 79,990 and Rs 84,990 respectively. You can get to have a closer look at the HC-MDH2 before buying if you happen to visit the Gujarat Photo Fair being held from the 20th to 22nd of September 2013, in Ahmedabad.

In case you wish to purchase one of the above cameras, or any Panasonic camera, you can find out the contact nearest to you from the below contact list:

Nokia Lumia Amber GDR2 Update "extras+info"

Nokia has already started rolling out the Amber or GDR2 update for its Lumia handsets running Windows Phone 8 and there is a good possibility that most of you might have already received it and running it. However, there is a likelihood that you may still not be able to access a few of the upgraded settings and may not see the words "Lumia Amber" anywhere as you would expect.

Well, fret no more, because help is at hand. In case you have upgraded your Lumia to the latest update, chances are that it is indeed the Amber update. To be able to access all the new settings, you can simply grab the latest version of the "extras+info" from here. A small 13 MB update will be installed that will instantly reveal the hitherto hidden settings such as glance, storage check, and Call+SMS filter. You will also be able to confirm that you are indeed running the Amber update by looking into extras+info, where it will display "Lumia Amber" under Software release.

Logitech Mashup: A Great Weekend Treat For Tech Bloggers

Logitech held its Media Mashup event on Saturday, 14th September 2013, inviting technology bloggers, reviewers, and gamers for a weekend treat. Logitech was courteous enough to invite me to the event held at The Taj Lands End hotel Bandra located on the Arabian Sea shore where the land of Bandra literally ends and meets the sea. From the start, I was made aware that this is not really going to be a serious tech event, but rather a lively entertainment gala of sorts where everyone can just enjoy the time and interact with each other.

Since I reached a few minutes early, I got a chance to get myself snapped against the Logitech Mashup hoarding. I was told that I will be presented with a framed photo print of the same to take home.

Before the event got underway, I had enough time to take a look at the various music and gaming products recently launched by the company that were on display to get sampled.

The first product that I got my hands on was the Logitech Ultimate Ears (UE) 5 Pro and UE 4 Pro, which is a custom-made in-ear headphone that is not available in India. Where it is available, the company takes an impression of the ear canal of the prospective customer and prepares the silicone rubber buds accordingly to ensure a perfect fit and maximum audio isolation. The Logitech rep said that there are currently no plans to make it available in India. It does sound great and it is a shame that it may not retail here.

Logitech Ultimate Ears UE 5 Pro 

There were a few more of the Ultimate Ears (UE) wired and Bluetooth headphones on display including the UE 4500 (Rs 7995), UE 3600 (Rs 3495), and the premium UE 6000 (Rs 17,995) with on-board amp, active noise cancelling, classy neoprene travel case, and with a folding design featuring removable cable.

Logitech UE 4500 and UE 3600

Logitech UE 6000 

The translucent blue UE 900 IEM was the most expensive of the lot costing a whopping Rs 34,995, which is quite a bit when Logitech is still not calling it audiophile grade. It comes with tangle-free braided cables, which can be detached to attach another cable with an inline remote control that works with the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Also, it comes with quad armature design and patented Dual-Bore technology that is said to deliver great audio. Eight ear bud sizes are available to ensure maximum comfort.

Logitech UE 900

Logitech also showed off two portable speakers - the smaller and more portable UE Mobile Boombox (Rs 8995) available in multiple colours, and the larger and more powerful UE Boombox (Rs 21,995). Both the devices can work on Bluetooth as well as via 3.5 mm aux connection. While the former can connect to 2 devices at a time and has up to 10 hours of battery backup, the latter can pair with 8 devices, work with 3 simultaneously to work even as a speakerphone, and can continue to play for up to 6 hours on a full charge. The UE Boombox sports a rugged build with the upper half made of aluminium including a strong handle, while the bottom half is polymer with a rubberised finish to prevent it from moving around on the surface on which it is placed, as it plays music. With 8 drivers present behind the aluminium grill, this one really delivers loud booming sound.

Logitech UE Mobile Boombox

Logitech UE Boombox 

Additionally, there were a few gaming (G Series) keyboards and mice to be seen. Unfortunately, I couldn't get to know them enough because the show got underway.

Subrotah Biswas, Director, India & South-West Asia, Logitech, introduced the event to get things started. He talked about engineering and brilliance, and how explained the "When Science Wins Gamers Win" slogan of the event.

Subrotah Biswas explains the technology

Entertainment was next, as magician (or rather mentalist) Karan Singh, appeared on stage and displayed some card magic. As the show progressed, he called up volunteers from amongst the attendees and freaked them out by reading their minds - cool entertainment!

Magician Karan Singh performs

Next up was stand-up comedian Rohan Joshi who lightened up the mood even more with his impromptu hilarious performance. While there was some political satire, it was overall clean adulterated entertainment that shouldn't offend anyone.

After two hours of interactive amusement, it was my turn to take to the stage (of course, with no live audience), as I talked about the Logitech UE Boombox - the product that impressed me the most. A video was shot, which I will share as soon as I get my hands on it. Before I left the event, Logitech reps handed me the aforementioned framed photo of yours truly - a nice memento of the event.

The Logitech Mashup was a nice way to get to know not just the company's products, but also to interact with others, and to get a nice weekend dose of entertainment that should keep me going for the upcoming week.

Apple Unveils iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C: An iPhone For Everyone?

Now you can bite the apple and eat it too, quite literally; or is it? Apple has unveiled an iPhone for everyone: the iPhone 5S, which will be its new flagship successor, and a new cheaper variant known as the iPhone 5C for those who may find the former out of reach. The S could stand for speed, while the C possibly for cheap. Apple has appropriately put the taglines as "Forward thinking" for the 5S and "For the colourful" for the 5C. The launch has ended months of speculations about whether or not the Cupertino-based company will launch a cheaper variant along with its regular premium handset.

To start off, the iPhone 5S is obviously an upgraded version of the iPhone 5 in terms of hardware in a similar way as the iPhone 3GS was to the iPhone 3G. It is powered by a new 64-bit A7 CPU that should allow for better gaming experience approaching the graphical intensity and fluidity of hand-held consoles. Additionally, there is an M7 companion processor that handles motion data, thus offloading the A7. The much speculated silver ring fingerprint scanner is also built into the home button to allow secure unlocking of the phone by its authorised owner.

Coming to the camera, there are improvements with a 15% larger 8 MP sensor compared to its predecessor, which should help reduce noise levels in low-light photography. There is improved video stabilisation for blur-free handheld shooting in addition to Burst mode, Panorama, photo filters aka Instagram, and Full HD video capture at 30 fps. The camera also supports 720p at 120 fps thus making it possible to play back such videos in slow motion, essentially called "Slo-mo video". A dual-LED flash has also been added to shoot in the dark. Apple has retained the 4" screen size and specs from the iPhone 5 and it still looks very much like its predecessor, although it is available in colour variations of Space Gray, Gold, and Silver. However, Apple has got nicely crafted premium leather cases for the iPhone 5S, which are available in multiple colours.

The iPhone 5C is basically the iPhone 5 with cost cutting and some colour, targeting the mid-range buyer segment. After sticking to white or black for years, Apple has finally gone Technicolor with the iPhone 5C, which is available in white, pink, yellow, blue, and green. As a cost-cutting measure, the iPhone 5C sports a polycarbonate body but is heavier than the iPhone 5 at 132 grams.

The handset is powered by an A6 chip with 1 GB of RAM. The screen is a 4" Retina display with pixel dimensions of 1136x640 but without scratch-resistant glass. An 8 MP AF primary camera with LED flash is present along with a 1.2 MP front-facing Facetime camera. Additional features include Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi with AirPlay, and A-GPS with GLONASS.

Both the devices will run the new iOS7. The iPhone 5S 16 GB is priced at $199 (approx Rs 12,800), while the 32 GB variant costs $299 (approx Rs 19,200). The 64 GB version will set you back by $399 (Rs 25,500). The iPhone 5C, on the other hand is available for $99 (approx Rs 6400) for the 16 GB and $199 (approx Rs 12,800) for the 32 GB. Of course, these prices are for the US market with 2-year contracts, so retail prices will be much higher. The iPhone 5C, which has been touted to be for the mid-range, will therefore end up in the high-end price bracket with a retail price of $549 (approx Rs 36,500) and $649 (approx Rs 43,000), thus shattering the dreams of cheap iPhone aspirants.

Toshiba And Sachin Tendulkar Launch Cricket Series LED TVs

Cricket is a religion in India; even rivalling the traditional festivals celebrated in the country. Understanding this phenomenon, Toshiba launched 3 new Cricket Series of LED TVs in India in collaboration with none other than our very own cricketing living legend Sachin Tendulkar. The P2305, L2300, and L3300 series of TVs incorporate a new Cricket Mode, which enhances the image quality to deliver richer colours, sharper details, and crisper images. In fact, the company mentions that the new mode "enhances the green of cricket field, the cracks on the cricket pitch, and the fast moving cricket ball". Motion blur is also reduced to make the fast moving ball appear sharp.

Toshiba says that Sachin Tendulkar himself provided valuable inputs and feedbacks while the TV was being designed, to deliver a stadium-like experience right in your living room. The TVs feature slim bezels to enhance the viewing experience. The audio quality is said to be improved as well with a few models featuring a sound bar like design. Each model adorns a personalised signature of the little master on the bezel or the sound bar.

The Toshiba P2305 LED TV Cricket Series consists of Full HD LED TV of 39", and HD Ready LED TVs with screen sizes 32", 29", and 24". The prices of these models are Rs 47,490, Rs 28,990, Rs 25,990, and Rs 16,990 respectively. These feature a slim silver sound bar at the bottom of the screen with 20 W audio output and Power Bass Booster. These also come with Auto Clean (to reduce picture noise), Auto Signal Booster (improves sensitivity when signal strength is weak), and AutoView (adjusts the backlight and various other parameters according to ambient light) technology in addition to 10-bit video processing for better colour reproduction.

The L3300 series has got two of Toshiba's innovations: Turbo LED and Detail Booster. While the former boosts brightness by 50%, the latter claims to enhance the detail levels, such as while upscaling. There is also Screen Mirroring technology to wirelessly connect the TV to your smartphone, tablet, or PC. There are two models in this series with screen sizes 32" and 39" and priced at Rs 36,990 and Rs 50,990 respectively.

The 50L2300 is the flagship model with a 50" Full HD LED-backlit panel. In addition to the Cricket Mode, it features the 100 Hz Active Motion Rate (AMR) image-processing technology that smoothens fast motion and reduces blur such as during a cricket game. It comes with two powerful 10 W speakers, Dolby Digital decoder, Power Bass Booster, and Audio Distortion Control, and is available for Rs 85,990. The new TVs are already available for purchase off the shelf at major retail outlets across India.

  

I got a chance to take a look at a side-by-side comparison of the new Toshiba TV's cricket mode and a regular LED TV. With all parameters such as contrast, brightness, and saturation, kept at default levels, the Toshiba does appear brighter and the image is better defined. The colours also appear vivid and motion blur is reduced. However, there is one undesirable effect of extra noise getting introduced, which is likely to be a byproduct of the image processing in the Cricket Mode. However, this noise is not always visible and depends on the scene type.

Interestingly, Toshiba has stayed away from the 3D gimmick, which is actually a good thing because there is just not enough 3D content available for it to go mainstream and it is still a very imperfect technology. Do you think that the Cricket Mode will be enough to help Toshiba stay in the television race in India?

Olympus Launches OM-D E-M1 Flagship Mirrorless Camera For Rs 1,05,000

Olympus has launched its new flagship mirrorless camera OM-D E-M1 in India. This is an upgrade over the E-M5. The company had first launched a camera in this category back in 2009 with the PEN E-P1, which was, in fact, the first in a pocketable size with a small lens. The E-M1 features a High Speed Dual fast Auto Focus, which uses phase detection as well as contrast detection. Thus, when phase detection technique doesn't work, contrast detection is employed for the purpose. The company calls this "On-chip Phase Detection Auto Focus".

This 16.3 MP camera with a magnesium body, has an Electronic View Finder (EVF), which the company claims, is as good as the optical viewfinder of a DSLR, meaning that what you see is what it clicks. The EVF features Adaptive Brightness Technology to adjust its brightness as per lighting conditions. Additionally, the company states that the camera is "Dustproof, splashproof, and freezeproof". Of course, the company execs were quick to point out that it cannot be used underwater or in the sand. This means that it is merely resistant to these elements. It can, however, be used up to -10 ° C. Being a flagship product, it is priced steeply at Rs 1,05,000, putting it out of reach of most mirrorless camera aspirants. The pricing takes it deep into DSLR territory and it remains to be seen if it can hold its own against DSLR competitors in the price range even though the E-M1 is more compact.

New Exclusive Shots Of Nokia Lumia 1520, Giant 6" Windows Phone By The Verge

The Verge has got its hands on the Nokia Lumia 1520, which is the largest Windows Phone offering from the Finnish manufacturer. The Lumia 1520 has been in rumourville since the past few weeks, but the exclusive photos on the website alongside a Sony Xperia for comparison's sake seem to be authentic. The upcoming handset sports a 6" screen, thus making it official that Nokia is also going to join the large screen mobile phones bandwagon after most Android phone manufacturers have already done that.

The large screen boasts of pixel dimensions of 1080x1920, thus allowing it to natively display Full HD movies. There is a 16 MP camera at the back with a Carl Zeiss lens and PureView technology. The camera is capable of shooting still shots at 16 MP and saving an additional 5 MP photo to quickly share on social networks. An LED flash is present on top. There are buttons for volume control, lock, and camera shutter on the right of the handset, while the left has caddy slots for micro-SIM and microSD cards.

Judging from the photos, the Lumia 1520 appears to have a unibody design, which basically means that the battery will not be replaceable, but you may not want to complain about that because the device seems to be considerably slim. The thin bezels should make it good to watch movies, but it also increases the chances of inadvertently triggering the touch interface. As expected, the large screen handset runs GDR3, which bears the codename "Lumia Bittersweet shimmer". Nokia provides several Lumia-exclusive apps as can be seen in one of the photos. Check out a few of the shots below and visit The Verge at the above URL to view them all: