Category Archives: Video

Monoprice shows off its latest line — monitors

February 10, 2014CES 2014, Gadgets, TVs, VideoTodd Cochrane

If you are not familiar with Monoprice, then probably you should be. For those who frequently need computer and home theater cables, which is likely everyone who reads a tech news site like this, it the place to shop. But the company isn’t just about cables anymore. I bought outdoor speakers from it a while back, and it sells things like switches as well.

Now Monoprice in branching out further, this time encompassing monitors. The company shows off both a 30-inch monitor, as well as a 29-inch ultra-wide. The big one is available now, and retailing for $682. The monitors also come with some impressive guarantees from the company, that allow for easy replacement if there is any problem whatsoever.

Interview by Don Baine, the Gadget Professor

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Better motion-focus for DSLR video with Canon’s EOS 70D

February 8, 2014Cameras, CES 2014, Photography, Videocanon, CES, ces 2014, Daniel J. Lewis, DSLR video, EOS 70D, photography, podcasting, STM lenses, video, videographyDaniel J. Lewis

20130702_hiRes_dafTech_front Shooting DSLR video has often had trouble with auto-focusing on moving subjects. But Canon‘s EOS 70D is a game-changing camera with “dual-pixel CMOS AF” for continuous, smooth, auto focus.

With the EOS 70D’s touchscreen LCD screen, you can tap on any visible subject for the lens to maintain focus on the subject, even when the depth changes.

This brings DSLR video production up in line with standard camcorders, which have often been used for better action focusing.

Without “dual-pixel CMOS AF” and Canon’s new Stepping Motor (STM) lenses, a digital SLR would shift focus back and forth on moving subjects (and sometimes even stationary subjects, too). With this new combination from Canon, amateur and professional videographers and podcasters can now get smooth auto focus.

Also don’t forget that the Canon EOS 70D is an amazing DSLR for still photography, too!

The EOS 70D is a cropped-sensor digital SLR that can record up to 30 minutes of 1080p HD video at up to 30 frames per second. The Canon EOS 70D camera body is priced competitively for professionals at $1,199 ($1,099 on Amazon.com) and is available today.

Interview by Daniel J. Lewis from The Audacity to Podcast.

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Tablo Takes TPN Award at CES

January 31, 2014CES 2014, TVs, Videoaward, CES, DVR, interview, tabloTodd Cochrane

Digital video recorders (DVRs) are commonplace but usually they’re integrated with a cable decoder. Tablo’s offering records OTA (over the air) HD broadcasts that are transmitted from local TV stations, free of charge. Still not excited? The Tablo can stream both live and record programmes to any connected device including Android and Apple devices, and set-top boxes like the Roku or AppleTV. Now that’s cool.

The Tablo contains two tuners (with a four tuner option), so can record two broadcasts at once. There’s no built-in storage but there are 2 USB ports for external HDD units to provide whatever space is needed. It’s perfect for cord-cutters. I’d love to see this come to the UK too.

The Tablo is on pre-order for US$219 and will be available in February 2014.

Interview by Daniel J Lewis of The Audacity To Podcast and Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network.

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KidzVuz: Videos for Kids by Kids

January 26, 2014CES 2014, Video13 and under, child safe content, copa compliant, ios, kidz vuzJeffrey Powers

Rebecca Levey from KidzVuz joined Don and I for the TPN CES Live Broadcast. Kidzvuz is a COPA compliant site for kids under 13 who create and upload videos. This site – working with parents – gives kids an outlet for creating and sharing videos.

KidzVuz is a free service. They also work with an iOS app to create their own videos. Rebecca’s favorite video is Flickin chicken. They also work with a lot of studios and brands, and some videos can go viral. KidzVuz has sent some to the red carpet to create even cooler content.

The kids own the content. They can delete their profiles at any time and no data is collected on the children. Since faces need to be seen in the videos, nobody will game the system.

Find out more at KidzVuz.com

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Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine and Don Baine of The Gadget Professor

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D-Link NVR and Low-Light Webcam

January 26, 2014Accessories, CES 2014, Gadgets, Home, VideoTodd Cochrane

At CES’ Digital Experience, Ken from D-Link tells Todd about their new (NVR) and low-light webcam.

The NVR can record up to 9 IP cameras at once, storing the images on the SATA drive. The feeds can be viewed either via an attached HDMI monitor or else viewed remotely via D-Link’s mydlink solution which securely connects from the Internet back to devices in the home, using a web browser or a smartphone app.

The low-light web camera works down to 0.01 lux light levels and can still pick out colours. In complete darkness, a white LED provides illumination for up to 50 feet. As you’d expect, it’s 802.11ac wireless.

Both the NVR and the webcam will have an MSRP of US$379 when they go on sale in April ’14.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network.

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Omnimount PJT40 Projector Mount

January 26, 2014Accessories, CES 2014, Home, TVs, VideoTodd Cochrane

If you want to hang or support some piece of technology from a wall or ceiling, then Omnimount ought to be on your review list as they have a portfolio of mounts and brackets that will do the job for flat screen TVs, speakers and projectors. Todd and Don chat with Kevin Paulson, who has the latest ceiling mount, the PJT40, for digital projectors. They also discuss the merits of desks that go up and down to facilitate standing at work. Really.

The new PJT40 is a universal projector mount that offers easy one person installation and tool-less microadjustment in the pitch and roll axes, making it simple to get a perfect image in your home cinema. The PJT40 will be on sale in February priced at US$179, which Don thinks is a bargain. Omnimount products are available AV dealers throughout the US and there’s more information at www.omnimount.com.

Interview by Don Baine, the Gadget Professor and Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network.

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Don’t Miss the Action with Geonaute 3D Camera Photos and Video

January 24, 2014CES 2014, Video360 degree, 3d camera, geonaute, oculus vr, videoJeffrey Powers

Justin Schneller from Geonaute 360 Action camera came onto the TPN CES live broadcast. Geonaute is a sports electronics company that developed a camera which takes a photo or video within the 360 degree range.

The 360 video camera is light enough to fit on a helmet, bike, car, boat or other device. It does not spin – the 8 MP camera lenses capture the whole area for the 360 view. The camera also records in 2K – 25 fps.

You can edit the video in a regular video editor, then encode in MP4, it will then work with the Geonaute software.

The iPad app uses the accellerometer to move the scene with your motions. You can also swipe around the image. Add the Oculus VR glasses and get a virtual look around the video or picture.

The Geonaute 3D camera will retail at $499. You will need to buy SD memory. Free app and software to watch and move around videos.

Find out more at Geonaute.com

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Interview by Jeffrey Powers of Geekazine and Daniel J. Lewis of The Audacity to Podcast

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FLIR Imager attached to a iPhone

January 24, 2014CES 2014, Gadgets, Home, Mobile, VideoTodd Cochrane

flir Flir appeared at Showstoppers, a pre-CES show that helps to kick off the Las Vegas electronics show, and we caught up with them to see what was new. It turns out, the company now has a case for your iPhone that can work a bit of optical magic, transforming the handset into a thermal imaging device.

The product goes a bit beyond just thermal though, as it combines it with the visible spectrum to produce a nice high-quality image. There are a lot of features added to this, and the user can choose the type of image seen. This technology does come at a cost, though. Retail pricing is slated for $349, and the release is planned for this spring. You can head to Flir to find out more.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network.

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PeoplePower’s Presence App Turns Old iPhones Into a Security Cameras

January 22, 2014Accessories, CES 2014, Gadgets, Home, VideoTodd Cochrane

Todd and Don interviewed Gene Wang, from PeoplePower, at CES about their iOS app called Presence 2.0. Presence turns your spare iPhone or iPad into a free remote camera to monitor your home or office from anywhere in the world (Wi-Fi or cellular). Select Presence Motion Detection to receive free Presence Video Alerts and see what happened just moments ago. Or select Video and Audio Streaming to enable convenient 2-way conversations, and even the ability to remotely control robotic viewing stands. Supervise and control your energy consumption before your eyes with Presence, too. Turn lights and appliances on and off from your smartphone with Presence-controlled smart plugs. Automate your system with simple and powerful Presence Rules, helping you design an automated motion detection and energy plan for home or office.

Presence is available now from the iOS App Store for FREE! (hardware accessories are extra) See peoplepowerco.com/products/ for more information.

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Interview by Don Baine, the Gadget Professor and Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network

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HAL TV Remote Set Top Box, Watch and Ring at CES

January 22, 2014CES 2014, TVs, VideoTodd Cochrane

Todd and Don interview Eric Stalker from HAL.tv about the new Remote Set Top box for controlling your TV with hand gesture or voice control. Once the box is setup, it allows you all kinds features like Hand control of your TV, Phone Calls, Reminders and a “mirror” mode.

HAL is also coming out with a smart watch and smart RING that will work with your smart phone. Details can be found at hal.tv.

Prices for the TV box and the Watch will be $199 and the ring is $99. All these products will be available in the Fall of 2014.

Interview by Don Baine, the Gadget Professor and Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central for the TechPodcast Network.

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