Black Cherry technical

LG Display paraded a prototype at the SID 2008 event, where its 2.2″ (160 x 120 resolution) and 15″ (2,048 x 1,536 resolution) models featured reflectivity of 20%, with the ability to show different images on both the front and back sides of the glass substrate - perfect for couples who argue over which show to watch on TV. Unfortunately, such a display isn’t available on a commercial basis just yet, and there has been no concrete release date even. Still, it would be nice to see something like this hit the market as it offers unprecedented flexibility to viewers.

While North America might not yet see the proliferation of the Blu-ray format in most homes, Japan is definitely way ahead of the competition as a recent survey showed that Blu-ray recorders have overtook DVD/HDD recorders in April, with the former selling more than half of the latter. Guess this is a positive development for the Blu-ray camp, and ought to see competition among Blu-ray disc equipment manufacturers intensify, and hopefully resulting in lower prices for Blu-ray which in turn will allow more and more people to pick up the Blu-ray format. When do you think the US and Europe will see this paradigm shift happening? Within this year, or do we have to wait for a couple more years?

Eizo has gamers in its crosshair with the FlexScan HD2452W LCD monitor, featuring the following :-

• 24″ Full HD (WUXGA) screen
• Contrast ratio of 1,000:1
• 450Cd/m2 brightness
• Dual HDMI, DVI-D HDCP, D4-Video, S-Video, D-SUB, component port, and 24p true cinema mode

Sounds like the perfect LCD monitor to purchase if you’re a PS3 or Xbox 360 owner, as well as a movie buff who is starting to build up a respectable Blu-ray movie collection. Strangely enough, the response time stands at a lame duck 16ms which is really unconducive for gaming or movies, but is sufficient for everyday Word documents.

You can tell that it’s almost vacation time: Pentax is announcing their Optio W60, a compact camera that is waterproof and dust resistant (thanks to its airtight seals). Obviously it also has imaging qualities like a 10 Megapixel resolution, 5X optical zoom, an anti-shake system, and a sensivity of 6400 ISO (that can’t be so useful with such a small lens, anyways). Also, it can record HD video (720p).

Available in the U.S in July for $329.95

Fujifilm will be rolling out its 10 megapixel FinePix Z200fd sometime this August, so what can you expect from this little sleek number when it rolls out then?

• Ultra slim (19.8mm thick) styling with two-tone all metal body
• 5x optical zoom lens (33-165mm equivalent)
• Dual Image Stabilisation
• Face Detection Technology and automatic intelligent red-eye removal
• 52MB internal memory plus xD-Picture card, SD and SDHC compatibility
• ISO 100-1600 sensitivity at full resolution
• Wide view 2.7″ high resolution screen
• Playback features including Face Zoom and Micro Thumbnail (100 shot) view
• IR Communication (IR simple™)
• Blog mode and Auction mode
• VGA movie capture of 30 frames per second with sound
• New modes including Folder Select (categorise your photos using handy preset folders) and Illustration Mode
• PictBridge™ compatible for direct printing without a PC

Fujifilm recently announced its new FinePix A850 that brings the following specifications to the table :-

• 8.1 megapixels CCD sensor
• 3x optical zoom
• 2.5″ LCD monitor
• Selectable sensitivity up to ISO 800
• 24MB internal memory
• 2x AA batteries required
• Movie mode, 30 frames/ second with monaural sound
• Picture stabilisation
• 14 selectable scene positions

The FinePix A850 will only roll out this July, and hence the lack of pricing information as at press time. Rest assured, it won’t break the bank considering this is an entry-level point-and-shoot.