Category Archives: Cameras

Roland AeroCaster: The live streamer’s new best friend @ CES 2023



Roland AeroCasterLive streaming has become a big business. Between gaming platforms like Twitch and standard platforms like YouTuve and Rumble, it’s never been easier to stream video. Even podcasters have gotten into the video game in larger numbers than those of us who have done it for over a decade. But proper production setups can be incredibly expensive and require a lot of specific hardware. The Roland AeroCaster is the company’s answer to cumbersome production systems.

What is the Roland AeroCaster?

The Roland AeroCaster is a live and recorded video switching system for small and medium sized setups. The system integrates nearly everything that a broadcast might need and does it in an incredibly small format piece of hardware. The core device is a small switching board with a few core inputs. On the back is a pair of combo jacks, so you can plug in XLR microphones, instruments, or even a soundboard. There are also RCA jacks for a line level connection.

On the front are a series of controls. For audio controls, there are sliders for mic 1, mic 2, line-in, and main. This gives you the ability to control the individual volumes for each direct audio input on the back of the board. There are also audio quality controls, such as de-esser and low cut filters. There is also control for an on-board microphone, sync delays, and more.

For video, it is a pretty standard basic video switcher. You’ve got buttons for your four video inputs, as well as the ability to create split-screen variants between any pair of inputs. However, the controls on the board are just the beginning of the story. The real magic comes from the connected software.

Roland AeroCaster LIVE app

The Roland AeroCaster LIVE app is really what separates the system from its competitors, some of which we have tried out. The software is well thought out and gives a lot of capabilities that we have complained about with other devices. First and foremost, the system allows you to import photos, audio, and video from your iPad for broadcast. This means that you have the ability to run bumpers, advertisements, and more. This is a huge benefit and something that makes the system really attractive.

In addition, the software integrates with streaming destinations to create a single point of connection. For those who are looking for a simple setup, you can connect to Twitch, Facebook, YouTube, and more. You can also monitor chats and comments on these platforms all within the software. For those looking to broadcast on a bigger stage, you can use RTMP directly to a service like Restream or Wowza to stream to multiple platforms.

Mobile cameras

One thing that really makes the Roland AeroCaster unique is its use of mobile phones as cameras. Rather than having to purchase special hardware, you can use your existing phone or tablet as a camera. This makes sense, especially for startup broadcasters, as we all have our current phone and many of us also have our last generation phone. This gives older phones a new life while producing a video quality that is equal to most professional streaming webcams.

Summary

The Roland AeroCaster is available now with a retail price of $295. You can get it right now at Amazon, B&H Photo, and more. To learn more about it, check out the product page.

Interview by Allante Sparks of PLuGHiTz Live Special Events.

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SECURAM Systems: Wi-Fi-enabled biometric home smart lock @ CES 2022



SECURAM Systems smart securityEvery aspect of our lives is getting smarter. From our cars to our lightbulbs, we have the ability to turn things on and off, lock and unlock devices, and open and close our doors. One company that is getting serious about connecting one of the most high-profile aspects of our homes, our door locks, is SECURAM Systems, which has introduced a new smart lock for the home.

Who is SECURAM Systems?

SECURAM Systems, Inc., a leading supplier of safe locks, announced that it has won the Mark of Excellence Award from the Consumer Technology Association for its EOS Smart Home Lock. The touch-to-open lock can be controlled with your smartphone and comes with a host of features to make your home more secure, including Wi-Fi connectivity and a built-in alarm.

The company’s products are designed to give you peace of mind and security in your home, whether you’re there or not. The company’s commitment to quality has earned it the trust of major banks and financial institutions around the world, which rely on SECURAM’s safe locks to protect their valuables.

What does the SECURAM Smart Home Lock offer?

The SECURAM EOS Smart Home Lock is a touch-to-open lock that can be controlled with your smartphone. The Wi-Fi-enabled lock comes with a built-in alarm and is designed to make your home more secure. It contains a number of features that we have come to expect from connected locks, such as a keypad and biometric sensor. But, it adds some features that are missing on other products.

First, it is a fully connected lock. That means that you can access the state of the lock remotely. This is important for a couple of reasons. First, you can verify that you have locked your door even after you’ve left the house. If you forgot, you can fix it remotely, as well. Plus, you can unlock it if someone is there and is having trouble getting in.

Most interestingly, the company has directly addressed the lack of a physical key. Normally, the key is a backup in the event the battery fails or the sensors stop functioning correctly. In the case of this lock, the company has added a hidden 9-volt battery contact on the outside. With that, you can power the lock for a short burst in order to get in. The biggest drawback is that no one carries a 9-volt battery, and most people don’t have one at all (outside of a smoke detector).

What are some other features of SECURAM’s home security suite?

In addition to the SECURAM Smart Home Lock, the company also offers a line of new products in its home security suite, including a garage door controller, a smart light switch, and a siren that detects intrusions. These products are designed to give you peace of mind and security in your home, whether you’re there or not.

The SECURAM Garage Door Controller lets you control your garage door from your smartphone. The controller is Wi-Fi-enabled and comes with an app that allows you to open and close your garage door from anywhere in the world. You can also set up alerts so that you’re notified when someone opens or closes your garage door.

The SECURAM Smart Light Switch gives you the ability to turn on and off your lights remotely. The switch is Wi-Fi-enabled and can be controlled with your smartphone. You can also set up schedules so that your lights turn on and off at certain times of the day.

The SECURAM Siren is a battery-operated device that detects intrusions and sounds an alarm. The siren is designed to alert you to potential danger, whether you’re home or away. The siren can be placed anywhere in your home, and it comes with an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Summary

SECURAM Systems is dedicated to making our homes smarter and more secure. With its new line of home security products, they are helping us do just that. To learn more about SECURAM Systems’ EOS Smart Home Lock or any of its other products, visit the company’s website or Amazon store.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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ArchiTek: Versatile and affordable silicon for AI solutions @ CES 2022



ArchiTek AI chipsIf you’re like most business owners, you’re always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to increase revenue and stay ahead of the competition. One of the most promising areas of growth in today’s market is artificial intelligence (AI). But implementing AI solutions can be expensive, especially if you need to purchase custom silicon chips. ArchiTek has developed a new chip called the ArchiTek Intelligence Pixel Engine (aIPE), which helps to solve this problem.

Who is ArchiTek?

ArchiTek is a semiconductor company that designs and manufactures custom silicon chips. ArchiTek’s mission is to provide the most innovative and cost-effective solutions for their customers’ needs. ArchiTek was founded in 2016 by a team of experienced engineers from Samsung, LG, and SK Hynix. The company offers a variety of products, including the ArchiTek Intelligence Pixel Engine (aIPE) and the ArchiTek Machine Learning Processor (aMLP).

ArchiTek Intelligence Pixel Engine (aIPE)

aIPE is a programmable, image processing, dedicated LSI engine that combines custom hardware architecture – optimized for low power consumption and low latency – with innovative software flexibility using virtual engine technology. This makes aIPE versatile and affordable for all AI solutions-from computer vision to deep learning.

ArchiTek Machine Learning Processor (aMLP)

The aMLP is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) designed for machine learning applications. It features an efficient data path and low-latency processing, as well as support for a wide range of algorithms.

Who can use the aIPE?

The aIPE is ideal for any business that wants to implement AI solutions but doesn’t want to break the bank. It’s perfect for small and medium-sized businesses, as well as start-ups. The aIPE can be used in a variety of applications, including computer vision, deep learning, machine learning, and robotics.

The ArchiTek Intelligence Pixel Engine (aIPE) is unique in that it offers both programmability and flexibility. Other AI chips are either fixed or require significant programming effort for customization. The aIPE also has lower power consumption and latency than most other chips on the market, making it an ideal choice for embedded systems.

What are some uses for the aIPE?

The aIPE can be used in a number of different ways. For example, it can be used to develop new algorithms or to optimize existing ones. It can also be used to improve the accuracy of predictions and the speed of decision-making.

In the example device during the interview. the company showed off a live camera feed with native object identification. While a cool demo, this particular example shows a lot of promise. A non-connected camera could use the chip to locate and identify people to help with autofocus. It could also be integrated into cars, trucks, and bicycles to help with autonomous driving, braking, and more.

Summary

ArchiTek’s aIPE is versatile and affordable silicon for all AI solutions – from computer vision to deep learning. If you’re looking for an AI solution that won’t break the bank, the aIPE is a perfect choice. ArchiTek’s mission is to provide the most innovative and cost-effective solutions for their customers’ needs, and the aIPE is just one example of their commitment to this goal. To learn more about the company and its products, head to their website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Cubtale: A care platform for newborns and expecting parents @ CES 2022



Cubtale newborns and expecting parentsWhen you’ve got a newborn baby, it can be really difficult to keep track of all of the things you need to do. You’ve got to feed them, with a bottle, breastfeeding, or a combination of the two. More importantly, you need to track whether or not you’ve actually done it. You’ve also got to keep track of when they sleep, diaper changes, and even medications. You can keep track of it in a book, but that requires carrying another thing around with you. Cubtale is here to help you track your baby’s routine and daily care tasks.

What is Cubtale?

Cubtale is the perfect care coordination platform for newborns and expecting parents. With the platform, you can easily track your baby’s daily care activities, such as breastfeeding sessions, bottle amounts, medicine intakes, sleep durations, and more. Cubtale also supports voice, smartwatch, and app logging while providing tips for newborn and expecting parents.

The system works through a series of Cubs. Cubs are palm-sized smart buttons that are designed for convenience. Cubs can be freely placed where activities happen for quick access and a simple button press gets logs translated for parents, caregivers, pediatricians, and experts in the Cubtale App.

You can also use voice recognition to log care activities with Cubtale. Simply speak into your phone and the system will automatically transcribe the activity. If you’re using a smartwatch, you can also use Cubtale to track your baby’s daily care tasks. With just a few taps on your wrist, you’ll have everything at your fingertips.

In addition to tracking your baby’s daily care activities, Cubtale can also provide you with helpful tips and advice. With the platform, you’ll have everything you need to take care of your newborn baby.

What does the Cubtale App do?

The Cubtale App is the perfect way to keep track of your baby’s daily care activities. With the app, you can do all of the tasks that Cubs can do, and a lot more. You can view a list of all the care activities that your baby has done in the past day, week, or month, either entered by the Cubs or through the app. You can also see how many times each activity has been done. In addition, you can get tips and advice for taking care of your newborn baby.

The feature that really makes the Cubtale App stand out is its ability to allow you to connect with other parents and caregivers to get advice and support. You can share your logs with other parents or caregivers and get their feedback. This is a great way to get support and advice from people who have experience taking care of newborn babies.

Summary

If you’re looking for an easy way to track your baby’s daily care activities, Cubtale is the perfect solution for you. The app is available for free on the App Store and Google Play and the devices are available on the company’s website. Get Cubtale today and start taking care of your little one in no time!

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Zhiyun Tech makes professional quality gimbals affordable @ CES 2021



Zhiyun Tech camera gimbalsPhotography and videography have become more popular pastimes over the past year. But, most of the new products that have come out in support of the content creator community have been focused on the static shot, intended to help improve the experience of streamers. But, Zhiyun Tech has a collection of camera gimbals for content creators ranging from home users to professional production rigs.

When filming motion, the only way to get great, smooth video is with a gimbal. These devices attach to your camera and give you more control over the picture. For all cameras, they offer a gyroscopic stabilization system that helps to keep the lens of the camera pointed in the same direction, despite the motion of the camera itself. So, if your arm moves around or shakes a bit, the stabilization system will help to keep the picture as steady as possible. Large motions, like tripping, will not maintain a steady shot but will produce a smooth downward motion.

For larger cameras, an added bonus is additional points of contact. You can use a larger rig with two hands, separated from one another for added stability and less strain on your arm muscles. With really big rigs, you can lean them into your chest, providing a third point of contact. The style of gimbal you need will depend on the type of camera work, the size of the camera, and the length of the shot.

In addition to the gimbals, the company also offers a video transmission technology for live broadcast, streaming, and camera previewing. Simply plug it into the video out on your camera and you can get up to 100 meters of transmission with only 60 milliseconds of latency.

To learn more about the products available, you can check out the Zhiyun Tech website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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j5create has a pair of new products for content creators @ CES 2021



j5create content creator toolsOver the past year, a number of products that were previously thought to be pretty ubiquitous have come into high demand. Chief among those products have been products for content creation. This year, j5create has brought out a number of products that can be used in content creation, whether in your home, your studio, or your office.

The first product we were introduced to is the new JVCU360 360° All Around Webcam. This camera can be mounted to the ceiling or a table and allows for the streaming of a full 360-degree video. Once we get back into our offices, this would be perfect for a conference room table so that the people you are talking with remotely can see the whole table. It can also be used for podcasting, as the video can be streamed as-is, or the video can be cut into segments for different camera angles.

Next up is the JVA06 Dual HDMI Video Capture – a USB-powered HDMI streaming device. The box has a number of inputs and outputs, including 2 switchable HDMI inputs and an 1/8″ mic input, plus an HDMI and 1/8″ headphone/speaker output. There are also USB-C power and host ports. The box has video processing built-in, meaning that it can take processing load off of a computer. This is perfect for game streamers because it can do picture in picture as well as picture beside picture modes, plus chroma key – essentially everything that a standard game streamer uses on a regular basis.

The JVCU360 360° All Around Webcam is available for $109.99. The JVA06 Dual HDMI Video Capture is available for $239.99. To learn more about these products and the entire diverse line of products available, check out the j5create website.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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CL360 is a bright lighting idea for 360 photos and videos @ CES 2021



CL360 Camera LightOne of the growing trends in digital photography and videography is 360. There are a lot of ways to take advantage of this medium, but it also produces a number of unique challenges. The biggest issue has been in lighting. You can’t set up a whole big room or yard full of lighting in order to light your photos correctly, so what do you do? The CL360 Camera Light is the solution to this problem.

If you have used a 360 camera, you know that they generally sit on a tripod or monopod. They then produce their 360 photos or videos, editing out the very bottom of the frame, thus eliminating the majority of the mounting hardware. That is exactly where the CL360 Camera Light finds itself – under the camera. It takes its place between the camera and the mounting solution and produces a very bright wash light in all directions. It can be used as an always-on solution for video, or as a flash for still photos.

The idea here, of course, is to make the quality of your projects better. There is nothing worse than a photo or video that is too dark to be seen. It is even worse when the media is being used in a professional or production setting. For example, anyone who has looked to purchase a house has seen a 360 photo of the rooms in the home that are absolutely dreadful. Besides being placed in the wrong positions, which can only be fixed by training, they are also dark. It makes sense since the houses usually have no power, but adding proper lighting can make the experience better. The same holds true when looking at videos in VR that are produced in a darker environment, such as outside at night.

The CL360 Camera Light is currently in final testing and is hoped to be on the market by mid 2021. For more information and to get updates on production, check out the company website.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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MightyMic Pro brings high quality audio to any device @ CES 2021



Ampridge MightyMic ProPaul Ackel, Vice President of Ampridge, a U.S. based company that makes the MightyMic, a microphone for smartphones and cameras, joined us at CES 2021 to tell us about some of their latest developments in microphone technology.

Their core product, the MightyMic Pro, is a wireless Bluetooth microphone that can be paired to almost any device and can transform almost any headphone into a wireless microphone. Designed to work with most popular apps, the latest iteration of the MightyMic is the MightyMic Pro 3, a robust mic designed to accommodate a longer battery life, reaching 9 hours on a single charge. It also allows for the addition of external microphones. With three different sensitivity settings, it provides highly customizable audio recording. Additionally, the Ampridge MightyMic Pro employs a unique circuit design that solves the challenge of playing back music when recording video.

Ampridge delivers its MightyMic Pro in a series of different packages serving different needs. The MightyMic L-Pack includes the wireless adapter plus a clip-on Lavalier microphone, providing an off-the-shelf solution for hands-free broadcasting from any device. The MightyMic F transforms the mic into a mini-shotgun microphone. The Mic F effectively provides 4-in-1 microphone capabilities, with a fuzzy windscreen attachment for outdoor use on a DSLR or other device, the ability to attach it to the mic jack on a tablet or phone, to a phone rig, or to a boom pole. With the MightyMic adapter attached, you can also wirelessly stream audio. The MightyMic is also compatible with most gimble mounts.

The Ampridge adapter allows users to take any traditional 4-pin designed headphone microphone and turn it into a wireless microphone. Ampridge also makes the MightyMic C, a directional hand-held microphone with multiple settings and an XLR cable.

The MightyMic Pro retails for $80. The L-Pack sells for $100. The F-pack and the C pack both retail for $110.

Visit the company’s website for more info and find their products on Amazon.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Movo introduces a trio of universal smartphone lenses @ CES 2021



Movo SPL Smartphone LensesThere is no denying that the cameras on smartphones have improved incredibly over the past few years. Just look at the Samsung Galaxy S21, announced during CES 2021. The back is seemingly covered in lenses, but still, it doesn’t have all of the capabilities of a proper camera. That’s because, no matter how many extra lenses for different modes are added, there will always be capabilities that are missing. Fortunately, Movo has a solution that will work with almost any phone.

The company has announced a new line of clip-on lenses for smartphones, known as the SPL Series. The line is launching with a trio of options: a 238-degree fisheye lens (SPL-FE Super Fisheye), a 3x zoom perspective (SPL-TELE Telephoto), and an 18-mm perspective wide-angle (SPL-WA Wide Angle).

The feature that sets these lenses apart from many of the past products available on the market is that it is not dependent on the model of phone you have. In the past, these lens kits were form-fit for a particular model of phone. This limited the ability to take the lens with you when you upgraded your phone, meaning you had to rebuy every time you changed phones. The SPL Series of smartphone lenses are instead designed to clip onto nearly any phone, making them a one-time buy for photographers.

Most importantly, these lenses follow the company’s longstanding tradition of providing quality products at affordable prices. The existing product line contains photography and videography supplies, including lens accessories for cameras. The move to include universal lenses for smartphones into the lineup is a natural extension of who Movo has always been.

All three lenses are available to pre-order, with shipping expected in February 2021. Each lens retails for $39.95. For more information or to purchase, check out the company’s website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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The DJI Osmo Pocket brings their 3-axis gimbal to a one-handed camera



DJI Osmo PocketWhen people think of consumer drones and multirotor copters, they almost certainly go directly to DJI. There is no name more synonymous with the product category, in fact, for both consumers and professionals. One of the reasons that DJI is so popular is the incredible stability of their cameras, care of a very sophisticated gyroscopic stabilizer. The stabilizer is so good at what it does, that the company has decided to bring it outside of the drone and into a new product, the Osmo Pocket.

This new product is a small, handheld video camera is able to record in full UHD 4K resolution, at 60 frames per second. It can record for 140 minutes on a charge, all in an incredibly small body. But, where DJI really sets the Osmo Pocket apart from the crowded is by bringing their 3-axis gimbal to the camera. This single feature makes the camera incredibly attractive for all sorts of video creators.

The most obvious usage is for amateur sports videography. Whether you’re running up and down your kids’ soccer pitch or filming your friends’ newest skateboard trick, this is a great camera. It’s because of the stabilization. You can literally run with the camera and the gimbal can keep the frame level and steady. All of this is made possible while still managing to pack everything into a single-handed design.

The gimbal is mechanical but digitally controlled. This gives the camera the ability to do some great capabilities that you simply cannot get with a generic gimbal. For example, ActiveTrack, a feature which allows you to tap on a subject on the screen and the camera will continue to follow the subject as it moves, as well as while the camera moves. Again, this makes following a kid’s soccer game or skateboarding video far easier to film.

The DJI Osmo Pocket is available now for $349, and can be found in accessory bundles, as well.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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