The Black Tech Report

Samson known for audio wants to now help with video, but truly it’s all about the audio.

September 22nd, 2009 No Comments

Samson the makers of premiere Audio devices is set to make a splash with it’s new Video Recorder dubbed “Q3″. This device is cabable of recording video at 640 x 480 resolution, althought I don’t see any references to HD quality I’m sure the video image is usable. Lets face it even if you have have a HD video camera, sites such as Youtube don’t allow you to upload in HD quality, so your audience never gets HD quality.

Sampson known for audio equipment is trying to take a way the bad audio stigma, that comes with these small video devices. Sampson’s Q3 has True Stereo Sound, which makes for a awesome device that can definitely make bad video much better with quality audio.

Q3 X-Y mic
This true audio is achieved by the Q3 having two condenser mics on-board, arranged in such a way that gives you the best stereo recording possible. When I see the Q3 it’s look clunky and futuristic but when you think about it, that could be an advantge when holding the device, it probably provides a better grip. The unit also includes audio meters so you can set and monitor your levels as you shoot, this is an added plus when you look at the other video recorders that don’t give you any choice in the matter when it comes to audio settings.

Overall the Sampson Q3 looks like a winner although I predict that most will overlook the Q3 as a novelty because The Flip, and Kodak Zi units get most of the coverage and are seen in a lot of online circles.

Features:

Built-in stereo condenser microphones with X/Y configuration for true stereo imaging

Get up to 1 hour of video with bundled 2GB SD card

Accepts up to a 32GB SDHC card for 16 hours of recording time

Large 2.4″ LCD display with a resolution of 320 x 240

Video resolution of 640 x 480 at 30 frames/sec

Video Format: MPEG-4 SP

NTSC / PAL TV output

Optics Lens Type: Fixed Focus (0.8m to infinity)

Audio formats with video include 44.1/48kHz 16/24-bit Linear PCM WAV or MP3 up to 320kbps

Audio only formats include 96kHz 16/24-bit Linear PCM WAV

Auto Record Level automatically adjusts audio levels during recordings

Uses two standard AA batteries or NiMH rechargeable batteries

USB 2.0 with built-in cable

Windows and Mac OS compatible

Built-in speaker and tripod mount

Includes on-board editing software, YouTube up loader software, Apple Quicktime, TV cable, softcase, windscreen, 2GB SD card, two AA Batteries

Q3 Accessories
P.S. Promise me if you get a hold of one before I do, you’ll pass it along so I can review this puppy.

TBTR

I do remember the AT&T ads about the future.

September 18th, 2009 No Comments

I came across a post today from Gizmodo.com the headline read “Remember The AT&T Ads About the Future? You will” This short story written by Danny Allen reminded me of one thing, Vision. Through out the history of time we have come across people that have for one reason or another been ahead of their time. AT&T back in 1993 was ahead of it’s time, each thought they displayed about the future has come true, but it’s not all because of AT&T. It’s in my opinion because of some one there that had a great vision for the future and you know what they were probably called a crackpot, or lun in one or more circles.

This is why you have to just let people be who they are, technology is a place where dreamers can dream and create. This is why I love Technology, here are the ads that we are talking about. Everyone has vision, will you use it? or let someone defeat your vision, I pray you understand what I mean. Enjoy this old collage of videos from AT&T 1993.

For the true facebook, photo, pandora junkie, introducting HP’s DreamScreen digital frame.

September 17th, 2009 No Comments

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Hp is about to introduce a new digital frame that seems to go far beyond the normal viewing of photos. The HP DreamScreen will allow you to show photos, connect to the internet, access social media and more. For the suggested price of $249 you can have one.

We all know how these devices show you pictures, but what about your friends latest pictures from Facebook, or their most recent status updates? Now that’s what I’m talking about, remember it’s not a full time computer, so don’t think you will be responding back on the unit, and it does not have a touch pad. (YES I’M STILL WAITING FOR THE APPLE TABLET) That kind of makes me sad, but come on they gotta keep the cost down somehow. Imagine Pandora streaming music for you, the DreamScreen does that too. I’m finding a weather forecast is pretty important in Florida, DreamScreen has you covered.

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This seems to be just the beginning for the digital photo frame revolution which for 2009 is a $25 million dollar industry, projected for $50 million by 2013. When twitter, and a open API are available (I hope) I’ll be more able to really show my geekness to those who visit me and my HP DreamScreen.

Download Wednesday – Google Chrome

September 16th, 2009 No Comments

Recently Google celebrated a milestone the 1 year anniversary launch of the Google Chrome browser. I remember when it was swirling around the internet that Google was about to drop a browser on the Internet community we were all a buzz over it. That was over 366+ days ago and what have the super geeks at Google been up to, well they have been making improvements in the Google Chrome browser. They say that the Google browser now has quicker load times, and runs web applications faster.

The stable release of Chrome under windows was released yesterday some of the benefits are listed below:

150% increase in javascript performance
Redesigned new tab page
Some HTML 5 features are included
Form auto fill
Side by side view
Ability to remove items from the tabs

Give the stable version a try here

For those of us who use a Mac or Linux they state that at this time, there is no release, but they are making rapid progress. You can download a copy of the developers version for Mac & Linux which will let you try Chrome on your Mac or Linux, but understand it’s not a stable release. Us geeks can try it out anyways and at least see how things are coming along.

TBTR

Google Labs has a new one for ya “Google Fast Flip” Virtual headline magazine

September 15th, 2009 No Comments

So imagine looking at the web as a virtual magazine of content, you get to see the stories of the day. The stories can be any of the vast number of topics your interested in everyday. Google Labs has a new item called Google Fast Flip it’s described as:

Google Fast Flip is a web application that lets users discover and share news articles. It combines qualities of print and the Web, with the ability to “flip” through pages online as quickly as flipping through a magazine. It also enables users to follow friends and topics, discover new content and create their own custom magazines around searches.

It’s simple you visit the site and skim, the news content that interest you and your friends, or just choose a subject and start viewing your virtual magazine. One day when they put this into a reader like Kindle from Amazon.com, then we might really have something on our hands for now I’ll just play around with it for the rest of the day.

At present it’s only available on the Google Labs website in English, but International users should be able to see it. You can also view a full list of the headline sources here http://fastflip.googlelabs.com/sources.

TBTR