2007 Digital Journalism Wish List - Tech For Mediatic - Addicts
Every year my ears get attentive as Black Friday approaches. I don't love shopping, but I do love gadgets. So, here's my gadget picks for the year. We'll keep adding to the list over time, so check back.
Web Cam Pick of the Season:Logitech QuickCam Ultra Vision
Logitech promises vastly improved image quality in this webcam because of its new lens, which is all glass. They aren't kdding. The image quality is superb, approaching that of Hi-8 videotape up to 960 x 720 video resolution and the interpolated 4 Megapixel still image size of 2304 x 1708 pixels.
Installation of the Logitech QuickCam 10 software is simpler than earlier versions, with a much cleaner interface. My tests were conducted on a laptop running a Pentium M 1.6 Ghz CPU. Logitech suggests a Pentium 4 at 1.4 Ghz as a minimum, 2.4 Ghz recommended. They aren't kidding. The Pentium M 1.6 Ghz is somewhat underpowered and recorded video is a tad jerky, though Logitech's software does a commendable job of "tweening," making the jumpiness far less annoying than it might otherwise be. I must stress that this is a limitation of the computer I used for testing, not the Logitech UltraVision.
The visual resolution of this camera is simply stunning.
Don't spend any more time trying to make your old camera work. Video is the thing. The time is now. Get on the bandwagon and be prepared for 2007 with the best camera available.
Get it here Now> Check Price on Amazon
Camcorder Pick of The Season: Sony DCR-SR100 3MP 30GB Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder
The compact Sony DCR-SR100 30 GB Handycam Camcorder represents a breakthrough in digital home recording. With a 30 gigabyte hard disk drive that stores hours of video and hundreds of high-quality stills, a 10x optical/120x digital zoom, a built-in microphone that allows you to record in Dolby Digital 5.1ch surround sound, and many other features you'd only expect to find in the hands of professionals, Sony's DCR-SR100 will turn your home videos into instant classics ready for the big screen.
Hard Drive cameras are the new thing, and for good reason. They are here to stay. Record to the drive, and download the file in Minutes, not hours. Edit away, easily and cheaply with any number of video editing software suites.
While there is another model above this one, a high definition version, I recommend this one as your initial starting point rather than a lower grade model for 2 reasons:
- This is the first model in the series to come with the mic attachment on the top of the camera. This allows you to add on additional microphones easily, such as a shotgun mic, easily increasing the quality of your audio.
- Second the outputs from this camera are numerous, as opposed to simple USB, extending to S-Video and others.
Get it Here Now > Check The Price on Amazon
Headset Choice: Logitech Premium Notebook Headset
Designed specifically for the needs of notebook users, the Premium Notebook Headset features a behind-the-head, adjustable design that folds flat for travel. The perfect headset for PC calling, Internet voice chat, gaming, and music—including most MP3 players—it offers high-performance audio, a noise-cancelling microphone, and in-line volume and mute controls. The included Analog-to-USB adaptor allows you to choose the best connection for your computer system.
Everyone needs a headset because everyone needs to understand that everyone does not yet have a phone with unlimited long distance. Everyone who can afford to be needs to be available by Skype because everyone who can afford to be talking to peers and collaborators in another country needs to be prepared to do just that. Yesterday.
So, this is a slick headset, no one will laugh at you on video for wearing it, and you could find a worse quality headset, for sure.
So, get jacked in with a headset, and be ready, because I'm going to call you on Skype...tomorrow.
Get it Here Now > Check The Price on Amazon
