Hasta La Gadget!

In the past, we may have considered a projector-equipped camcorder if the price was right, but with dim output (typically less than 20 lumens) and content options limited to footage you’ve shot, the available functionality often didn’t justify a premium of several hundred dollars. Sony, for its part, is working to make that secondary display massively more appealing — the company’s latest generation of high-end camcorders adds an HDMI input, with an option to display content from any compatible source (a full-size adapter ships in the box). Two such models, the Handycam PJ650V and PJ790V, will retail for $1,100 and $1,600, respectively. As their price tags imply, these are Sony’s top-of-the-line consumer offerings for 2013, and they’ve got the features to match.

Both include Balanced Optical SteadyShot, which moves the entire lens module (not just specific elements) for much more effective stabilization, especially when zoomed in. There are Exmor R sensors on board, with a 20.4-megapixel chip on the 650 and a 24.1-megapixel imager on the 790. The lower-end model includes a 26.8mm wide-angle 20/12x G lens, 32GB of flash storage and a 20-lumen projector. The 790 ships with a 26mm wide-angle 17/10x Carl Zeiss lens, a whopping 96 gigs of memory and a 30-lumen projector on the side. Both also include 921k-dot 3-inch LCDs and electronic viewfinders, along with 5.1-channel mics (the 790’s is raised to accommodate wind screens and isolate mechanical noises), an option for AVCHD or MP4 recording and a new Multi Interface Shoe that can be used with accessories like an external mic or the $75 ADP-WL1M WiFi module.

We had an opportunity to check out both camcorders, and were quite impressed, especially when it came to the Balanced Optical SteadyShot and (relatively) powerful built-in projectors. The HDMI input worked as advertised, accepting content from a laptop and an Android smartphone without issue. The 790’s projector was bright enough to see detail even in a sun-lit room, but we could even see using it to watch a movie (with an external speaker), assuming that we’re able to set up shop in a pitch-black environment with a suitable surface. Both Handycams felt like premium devices, and while they were significantly heavier than Sony’s entry-level offerings, they’re light enough to be comfortably used to capture handheld footage. This premium duo is set to hit stores in February, but you can take a look right now in the hands-on gallery below.

Filed under: Cameras, Displays, Sony

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Yup, Sony’s still in the business of making sub-$100 pocketable shooters. The Cyber-shot W710 is set to retail for a mere 99 bucks this month, while its similarly-specced W730 counterpart will carry a list price of $139. Both cameras offer 16.1-megapixel sensors, 2.7-inch LCDs, 720p HD video modes, a 1 frame-per-second burst option and a top sensitivity of ISO 3200. You’ll also find software consistencies, with Intelligent Auto, Picture Effect and Sweep Panorama modes available on both versions. The bargain-basement W710 includes a 28mm 5x optical zoom lens, while the pricier W730 model packs a 25mm 8x lens with optical SteadyShot on board. Both offerings will ship later this month in silver and pink, with the W710 also available in black and the W730 being sold in blue.

We briefly tested both versions, and while neither offered a top-of-the-line shooting experience, they did seem to be perfectly sufficient given the price. We could see the W710 and W730 being a solid fit for younger photographers who don’t necessarily treat all of their electronics with the care required to justify a higher-end model, for example. The displays were bright, though the resolution is clearly in line with the MSRPs. Both cameras were very compact and lightweight, so you shouldn’t have any problem tucking one into your jeans pocket and carrying it around on a regular basis. Neither of these models would necessarily be the best fit for experienced photographers, however casual their craft, but beginners with a tight budget will likely find them to be perfectly adequate. You can see them in action in the gallery just below.

Continue reading Sony Cyber-shot W710 and W730 entry-level cameras start at $99, we go hands-on

Filed under: Cameras, Sony

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Sony’s CES 2013 will be starting in a few minutes time and during the event, we expect that Sony will be taking the wraps off several of their new products, one of which is said to be a new Xperia device in the form of the Xperia Z, Sony’s take on the phablet. We’ve seen a leaked press shot of the device in the past, but Chinese blog Digi-Wo managed to get their hands on a bunch of leaked photos of the device in real life. So far everything looks pretty good and assuming the leaked specs are true, we can expect the Xperia Z to feature a Full HD 1080p display, a quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM along with an impressive 13MP camera. We will be able to confirm those specs once Sony announces the device, and chances are we will be able to get our hands on it for a quick preview, so check back with us later in the day for the details!

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Sony Introduces Xperia Z With 1080p Reality Display, 13-megapixel Camera, Sprint To Offer Windows Phone 8 Devices From Samsung And HTC,

Lenovo has been showing off a lot of devices here at CES, but one of the devices I’ve personally been most interested in is the IdeaPad Yoga 11S. After Windows 8 launched last year, I reviewed the IdeaPad Yoga 13, a computer that I ultimately liked a lot. A big reason why I liked the Yoga 13 was because of its 360-degree hinge, which allowed for four different configurations – laptop mode, stand mode, tent mode and tablet mode. It was incredibly cool, and I’m glad to see the same hinge present in the smaller Yoga 11S.

In fact, at first glance, the only noticeable difference between the Yoga 13 and the Yoga 11S is size. The 11S is quite a bit smaller thaan the Yoga 13, but both are running Windows 8 (remember that – this isn’t Windows RT you’ll be dealing with. The fact that the Yoga series is running Windows 8 is definitely appreciated, and I’m sure it might just end up convincing a few people who are on the fence.

One thing I want to point out is that I think the Yoga 11S might make a better tablet. That isn’t to say that the Yoga 13 didn’t make a good tablet (it did), it was just a little on the large side as far as slates go. The Yoga 11S fits very well in your hand, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see many people opting for tablet mode over the other configurations.

Featuring an 11.6-inch touchscreen and you choice of up to a 3rd-gen Intel Core i5, the IdeaPad Yoga 11S should make a pretty capable ultrabook for a lot of different people. Despite the smaller screen, resolution hasn’t taken a hit, with the IdeaPad Yoga 11S sporting 1600×900, just like its predecessor. It’ll be available in Silver or Clementine like the Yoga 13 is, but unfortunately, Lenovo won’t start offering it until sometime in June 2013. When it finally does arrive, it will have a starting price of $799.

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S hands-on is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

NuVo announced their first product that they’re selling directly to consumers, and they’re simply calling it the Wireless Audio System. The company says it’s the first wireless home music system based on dual-band WiFi and MIMO technologies, which allows it to transmit up to 16 simultaneous streams at 600Kb per second each.

The new system consists of three main components: two types of music players and a network gateway, and users use either a smartphone or tablet to control the system. Since this is the company’s first product that they’re selling directly to consumers, they’re including a handy wizard to get novices started with setting up the new system.

The two music players, the P200 and P100, provide up to 60 watts of power per channel and 20 watt, respectively. (2 channels @8 ohms). The P200 is equipped with aptX Bluetooth technology, so most tablets and many smartphones are able to send music wirelessly at top quality to the P200 for playback in one or multiple areas.

The NuVo Wireless Audio System will be available to consumers from two authorized on-line retailers, Smarthome.com and PartsExpress.com. The GW100 network gateway will carry a retail price of $199, while the P200 wireless player will sell for $599 and the P100 for $479.

NuVo unveils Wireless Audio System at CES 2013 is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.