Category Archives: Video

Garmin VIRB Action Camera



Garmin VIRBGarmin are well known for their satnavs and GPS-based devices but a new range of wearable action cameras were announced at this year’s CES. Todd chats to Maddy about the new cams.

Garmin’s range of action cameras are 1080p HD video cameras in a ruggedised and waterproof (IPX7) case, with a built-in 1.4″ display and around 3 hours of recording time. There’s full range of accessories and the VIRB camera comes with an industry mounts compatible adaptor so existing gear can be potentially re-used.

The basic VIRB is $299 and the VIRB Elite is $399. Available now.

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

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Brinno – Looking through the Peephole



Brinno LogoDon looks through the peephole with Chris Adams from Brinno at their latest home security cameras. Brinno are known for their time-lapse and motion detecting digital cameras and this is the latest addition to their PeepHole Viewer range.

The PeepHole Viewer digital camera is designed to fit over standard door peepholes to record activity on the outside of the door, either as short videos or else as still photos on a micro SD card. Connecting the camera to the peephole is very straightforward and a new peephole is included with the camera just in case the existing peephole is damaged or dirty. Footage can be reviewed on the camera itself or else transferred to a laptop or PC using the memory card to look at visitors in more detail.

Interview by Don Baine, the Gadget Professor.

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Beam introduces video chat robot



beamVideo chat has become common in today’s world, especially in the workplace. Robotics, though, still has a tendency to sound a bit futuristic. Beam, however, has found a way to combine the two, with a robot that sports a video display, allowing for both face-to-face chat and mobility.

All of this functionality is controlled by the person seen on the screen, who controls the robot from a desktop or laptop computer. This is done by an app the company provides to the buyer for installation on any computer. The Beam, which comes from Suitable Technologies, is available right now. It’s geared towards corporate use, as the price comes in at $16,000, but that includes setup and support.

Interview by Don Baine, the Gadget Professor

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iRing the First Motion Control Device for iOs



ir2iRing is the first motion control device that works with the iPhone and iPad. It will work with various music apps including The Groovemaker and VocalLive and more. The iRing FX/Control app runs in the background and talks to the other app, meanwhile the iOs camera picks up and follows the motion. The ring has controls on both sides. Instead of moving your fingers back and forth on the apps. You control the beat by moving the ring back and forth over the apps and the pitch by moving it closer and farther away from the app that you are using.

The iRing can be used by someone who knows very little about music but also by an experience musician. Although right now the ring just works with music apps that IK Multimedia has created, but according to IK Multimedia there is no reason it shouldn’t work with other types of apps. They are offering an SDK and licensing to app developers in hopes that more apps will be built that use the iRing. The iRing will be available starting the 1st quarter of 2014. It will cost $25.00 for two rings and the utility app.

Interview by Don Baine, the Gadget Professor.

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Suitable Tech shows off Beam — remote telepresence device



suitabletech

SuitableTech came by during CES in Las Vegas to show off its Beam. The name may be a bit vague in describing what the product is, but it s rather cool technology.

In a nutshell, this is a remote telepresence device, though many would likely simply refer to it as a robot. The device is mounted on wheels and has a display screen on the top. It can then move around to various people and allow for face to face communications with someone in a remote location. The device promises an eight-hour battery life. Beam is not really for home use, as you’re looking at a $20,000 install, but it will be handy in many business situations. You can find out more by visiting SuitableTech.

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

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Griffin shows off Powermate Bluetooth



griffin

Griffin Technology stops by to visit and show off its latest product — the Powermate Bluetooth. It’s tough to describe what this does, so I’ll allow the company to explain.

“PowerMate Bluetooth is the wireless programmable controller that replaces extra keystrokes with a simple twist or a click. It scrolls. It scrubs. It clicks like a mouse. And it’s user-configurable, so it can control practically any Mac application out there”.

The product will be available starting this summer, and will retail for $59.99. You can find out more by visiting Griffin Technology on the web.

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

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CES 2014: Flir One Personal Thermal Imager with IdoNotes



Chris Miller (IdoNotes) took a look at the future of personal thermal imagery devices with the FLIR ONE™ at CES 2014. There are many practical and fun ways to use the Flir One that we explore in the video interview.  First, a quick description of what the Flir One does straight from their website:

FLIR ONE™ is a non-contact device that detects infrared energy (heat) and converts it into an electronic signal, which is then processed to produce a thermal image on your phone screen and perform temperature calculations.

The FLIR ONE™ is a case that comes in three colors for your iPhone with the thermal imaging portion easily detachable.  It utilizes it’s own internal battery supply. It weighs in at 3.2 ounces and currently fits the iPhone 5 and 5s only.  Android cases are expected later in 2014.

From using your phone for hide and seek in total darkness to checking your child’s temperature, this looks like an amazingly useful addition to your phone.

Video summary by Chris Miller (IdoNotes) of Spiked Studio.

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Monoprice shows off its latest line — monitors



monopriceIf 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



20130702_hiRes_dafTech_frontShooting 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



Tablo LogoDigital 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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