Panasonic claims title of world’s lightest HD camcorder

Posted in Panasonic by Shane McGlaun on June 9th, 2009

panasonichdcamcorder-sbCamcorders are getting smaller and smaller with each new generation of devices. I’m not sure how small the camcorder can go, but soon we might be wearing them like glasses. Small and light is a good thing in a camera you have to hold up through that 3rd grade play.

Panasonic has unveiled what it claims to be the world’s lightest HD camcorders weighing 0.5 pounds. The camcorders are the HDC-SD10 and the HDC-TM10. The two cameras are very similar with the exception of storage. The SD10 stores video only to SDHC/SD memory cards.

Panasonic Japan announces HD video-conferencing system

Posted in Panasonic by Conner Flynn on June 7th, 2009

Panasonic Japan announces HD video-conferencing systemPanasonic Japan announced a video-conferencing system dubbed the KX-VC500. It will allow you to use HD-quality screens for communicating. It’s pretty interesting and takes the video conference to a new level. Connections will be made over the web and allow for HD-quality video going both ways.

It doesn’t come with a microphone and a camera however, so you’ll have to use an HD camera of your own choosing. You can use the unit with any HD screen and it has an RGB interface and two HDMI ports. A remote control is included.

Panasonic Lets Note Light 10.4-inch laptop with SSD

Posted in Notebooks by Conner Flynn on June 7th, 2009

Panasonic Lets Note Light 10.4-inch laptop with SSDPanasonic just announced a new 10.4-inch notebook for the Japanese market. It goes by the awkward name of “Lets Note Light” R8 CF-R8WWLAJP. The notebook features a 1.4-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400 CPU, 2GB of RAM upgradable up to 4GB, and a 64GB of SSD with 220MB/s reading speed.

The battery will provide up to 9-hours of use time. Some other features include Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet. If you are so inclined, you can buy the Panasonic Lets Note Light R8 CF-R8WWLAJP for $1750.

Panasonic Viera R series LCD TVs come with 500GB HDD

Posted in Panasonic by Conner Flynn on June 2nd, 2009

Panasonic Viera R series LCD TVs come with 500GB HDDPanasonic Japan has launched the Viera R series of LCD TV’s which will be available in 7 sizes ranging from 17 inches to 50 inches. With a size range tht wide, there’s something for everybody.

The 37, 32, 20 and 17 inchers will feature a resolution of 1366×768 pixels and come with a 250 Gig hard drive. While the 42, 46 and 50 inchers have a full HD panel and come with a 500GB hard drive. The LCD’s go on sale by July 1 in Japan.

Panasonic DMP-B15 Portable Blu-ray player shipping this month, $800

Posted in Blu-ray by Conner Flynn on June 1st, 2009

Panasonic DMP-B15 Portable Blu-ray player shipping this month, $800Panasonic has announced that their DMP-B15 portable Blu-ray player will be shipping this month for $800. It was first seen at CES. Yeah, that’s pretty pricey for a portable Blu-Ray player, but if you want the best at the highest price and find yourself on the road, the DMP-B15 will give you about 2.5 hours of entertainment on a single, with a crystal clear 8.9-inch WSVGA display.

For the price that you are paying, you’ll be glad to know that it also includes Panasonic’s VIERA CAST Internet accessibility and BD Live. Even an SD card slot.

Panasonic develops world’s lightest full HD camcorders

Posted in Camcorders by Conner Flynn on May 21st, 2009

Panasonic develops world’s lightest full HD camcordersPanasonic has delivered the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 camcorders, which weigh less than 230g. And so they are being touted as the lightest camcorders with full high-definition capabilities. At least until someone beats them with something even lighter.

They’ll record 1080p video in AVCHD format and boast 16x optical zoom and Advanced O.I.S (Optical Image Stabilizer) technology. Both record to SD/SDHC memory cards, but the HDC-TM10 also comes with 8GB of onboard storage capacity.

Panasonic HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10

Posted in Camcorders by Conner Flynn on May 19th, 2009

Panasonic HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10Panasonic has announced a few new camcorders in the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 which weigh just 227 grams. Therefore Panasonic is claiming that they are the lightest full HD camcorders in the world. Both models can record 1,920 x 1,080 HD images and sport 16x optical zoom, touchscreen control, iA with AF tracking and Advanced Optical Image Stabilizer to counter your unsteady hand.

The SD10 uses the SD/SDHC memory card to store your recordings, while the TM10 uses 8GB internal memory and an SD/SDHC memory card slot.

Floor-wiping robot is like a cylon worm that evolved from the Swiffer

Posted in Robots by Conner Flynn on May 7th, 2009


The Fukitorimushia floor-cleaning robot wipes instead of vacuums, like an inchworm with a cylon eye. Designed by Panasonic, the little robot is wrapped in a nanocloth sleeve, which collects dust and debris as the robot crawls, worm-style, across your floor.

Yes, what we have here is the swiffer evolved. Its also has sensors to seek out dirt, so it will focus on problem areas first, then move on the assorted crumbs. Nothing on price or availability yet.

Panasonic’s in-dash Blu-ray players

Posted in Panasonic by Conner Flynn on April 22nd, 2009

Panasonic's in-dash Blu-ray playerPanasonic has a pair of dash-mountable devices that will finally let you toss aside those old school DVDs. The first is the CN-HX3000D Windows-powered device, sporting a 7-inch, 1280 x 720 display and also offering GPS, Bluetooth, a 40GB hard drive, and iPod/iPhone compatibility.

The second device is the CY-BB1000D in-car Blu-ray player (Not BD-Live compatible). Both are set to arrive this fall for an unknown price. Whatever it is, you’ll gladly pay it, just to keep the little ones happy and sedated.

Panasonic to develop 1080p twin-lens P2 camcorder for 3D captures

Posted in Panasonic by Conner Flynn on April 20th, 2009

Panasonic to develop 1080p twin-lens P2 camcorder for 3D capturesIf you haven’t jumped onto the 3D bandwagon yet, you’ll want to very soon if this year’s NAB show is any indication. Meet Panasonic’s latest conceptual camcorder, which will take P2 memory cards. For the moment, Panasonic’s 3D Full HD Camera Recorder is just a prototype, but it’s pretty clear that they intend to bring it to market asap. It looks pretty awesome.

The device will feature a twin-lens system for capturing 3D footage natively in 1080p, and the video streams will be stored on P2 cards. Will it be able to be used for 2D shooting at all? It doesn’t look like it right now. Either way, this is a step in the right direction for Panasonic. Everybody else is doing the 3D thing after all.

Panasonic announces 16 power saving water heaters

Posted in Panasonic by Conner Flynn on April 9th, 2009

Panasonic announces power saving water heatersPanasonic has announced a batch of 16 heat pump water heaters that will save energy and keep your water temperature constant by using a human presence sensor. The mechanism is able to reduce power consumption by up to 35% in winter, which is when you use the most.

If you’re in Japan, you can get one by July 10. Just don’t expect it to be affordable. The HE-KU37CQS model has a tank capacity and hot water supply pressure of 370L and 280kPa and retails for about $8,211. Seems like a cruel joke, but at that price they are selling you the remote control separately.

Panasonic SC-HC-series iPod D-Docks

Posted in iPod Accessories by Conner Flynn on April 2nd, 2009

Panasonic SC-HC-series iPod D-DocksPanasonic jumps full onto the iPod bandwagon with their SC-HC-Series iPod D-Docks named the SC-HC3 and SC-HC4. Both are very similar. Aside from having unique colors, the SC-HC4 includes an SD memory card slot. You can also rip music from your CDs onto the SD/SDHC card directly without software, with transfer speeds of 8x.

Both docks feature two 2.6″ diameter speakers and a 40W stereo amplifier, a built-in AM/FM radio tuner, 3.5mm auxiliary input jack and display. It doesn’t mention whether the iPhones are supported, but we are guessing they must be. They’ll run you $350 and $400. They arrive in Japan on April 18th.

Panasonic DMC-GH1 availabile April 24 in Japan

Posted in Cameras by Conner Flynn on March 27th, 2009

Panasonic DMC-GH1 availabile April 24 in JapanThe GH1 is looking seriously sexy in red and will be available April 24 in Asia for about ¥150,000. That’s roughly $1,500, which is a bit steep. It may be cheaper when it hits our shores, but that’s still a disappointing price.

The GH1’s video capture mode (The only thing that’s really different from its predecessor, the G1) does things that many others, like Nikon and Canon can’t: the cinema-friendly 24fps framerate at 1080p (60fps at 720p), as well as continuous contrast-based autofocus with a silent-focusing lens.

The history of video game consoles

Posted in Games by Conner Flynn on March 18th, 2009

segadreamcastWe love video games around here. Whether we’re playing the Xbox 360, the PS3 or even an old Atari 2600. We thought we would take a look at the history of gaming consoles from 1972 to the present. You grew up with the vintage consoles, you play the new ones, so take a walk down memory lane and revisit all your favorites from the massive list below.

Panasonic RISAIKURA MS-N53 Recycler

Posted in Home by Conner Flynn on March 12th, 2009

Panasonic RISAIKURA MS-N53 RecyclerPanasonic gets all green with its RISAIKURA MS-N53 recycler device. The device relies on a special platinum-palladium catalyst to break down up to 2kg of organic garbage into compost with the help of some heat. It’s great for those with gardens as you’ll be able to use the compost in your garden.

Panasonic is making some big claims as to the quality of their compost. According to them, the created compost is superior to store-bought fertilizer. The Panasonic RISAIKURA MS-N53 recycler has a few settings to choose from, depending on how dried out your garbage is, ranging from three to six hours. The shorter option will give the compost more protein, while the longer option is more suitable for long-term fertilization of trees.





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