Higher resolution digital cameras make it easy to crop photos while still maintaining crisp details for large screen display. Samsung's Digimax V6 ($400) features a 6 megapixel CCD, 3X optical zoom lens, customizable user settings, and a manual super macro mode for shooting objects as close as 2 1/2 inches.
Casio's compact Exilim Pro EX-P700 ($600) with its 7 megapixel CCD offers even higher picture detail, a Canon 4X optical zoom lens, and advanced photographic controls. For greater flexibility, the Nikon Coolpix 8800 ($800) delivers 8-megapixel images, and features a 10X optical, 35-350 mm zoom lens with a vibration reduction system for steadier telephoto imaging.
New digital SLRs are available from Pentax, Olympus, Nikon, Canon,Konica Minolta, with prices starting under $1,000. These cameras accept interchangeable lenses and offer a wide range of pro-level capabilities.
Motion Attraction
The latest camcorders and computer-based editing systems make it easy to include awesome broadcast quality standard video, or High Definition (HD) footage in presentations.
Canon's new 3-chip, XL2 camcorder ($5,000) offers interchangeable lenses and a full range of image and audio controls for broadcast quality recording on DV tape.
Once the exclusive domain of networks and big-budget production companies, HD video production has come within the reach of business video producers, with the recent introduction of cameras from JVC and Sony. The fully professional Sony HVR-Z1U (less than $6000) professional records in HDV or standard DV modes with SMPTE timecode.
Smart Projection
A super-bright, high-resolution projector will make any presentation look better. Upgrading your projection capabilities makes especially good sense if you're creating high-quality images for presentations in larger meeting rooms, trade shows, and other environments with difficult lighting conditions.
Hitachi's new CP-X445 LCD projector delivers 3200 ANSI lumens of native XGA (1024 x 768) imaging power. This $3,600 unit incorporates DVI-D and RGB inputs to maximize picture quality, LAN control function, and four built-in speakers.
Take It Anywhere
Ultra-compact portable hard drives provide a convenient way to transport big, video-rich presentations. These drives also make it easy to perform timely backups of all the important data on your laptop's hard drive.
CMS Products offers a whopping 100 GB of space in its new fast, lightweight (5.5 ounces) external hard drive. The ABSplus 100 GB ($400) features speedy data transfer rates, and is available with either USB 2.0 or FireWire interfaces.
Iomega's Mini Hard Drive is available in 20 GB ($179) and 40 GB ($279) capacities, weighs 3.5 ounces, and is small enough to fit in a shirt pocket or purse. For ultimate portability, Imation's 2 GB USB 2.0 Swivel Flash Drive ($290) flash weighs only one ounce and can be worn as a pendant or carried on a keychain.
In selecting presentation products, an increased investment in quality and features can pay great dividends in performance, productivity, and reliability.
Bright Multimedia Projection
With a brightness of 1,500 ANSI lumens and weighing only 4.84 lbs., the new Hitachi Performa(tm) CP-RS55 projector features the high-end performance required for use in corporate and small business environments, and an intuitive user interface makes it ideal for home use. <> The Performa CP-RS55 model features Progressive Scan Technology, which allows users to enjoy realistically beautiful images with no flicker. Its Equalizing function (Gamma Correction and Color Balance) lets users make adjustments to achieve the desired picture quality. Three Picture Mode settings (Normal, Cinema and Dynamic) enable users to choose the best mode to match the source.
The Performa also allows for a Whisper Mode option, which reduces fan noise to 32 dB. This provides quiet performance in a variety of applications, from living room to boardroom or classroom.
For more information, call 1-650-589-8300 or visit www.hitachi.us/digitalmedia.
