BenQ MP771 Short Range Projector

BenQ seems to have a pulse for the space constraints of big cities like Mumbai, thus they have come up with a new digital projector model – the BenQ MP771. The new projector provides an ideal projection system for places where the physical layout forces the projector to be placed close to the screen. BenQ MP771 projector's short-throw ratio lens projects a picture of size 74" from a distance of 3.3 feet (while standard throw projectors can project only approx 30") Thus, the MP771 can be used in small meeting rooms and halls, in museums, departmental stores, showcase displays, banks, hospitals and small business houses etc.

BenQ MP771 projects at native XGA (1024 X 768) resolution and features a brightness of 3000 ANSI lumens with a contrast ratio of 2000:1. Since the projector is equipped with short-throw ratio lens, the quality of projection does not get affected with change in the type of hall/room or the distance between the projector and the screen. Further, the auto wall color technology enables the projector to display similar quality image irrespective of the wall/screen color.

In addition, BenQ MP771 features the Brilliantcolor technology that enables 50% brightness increase in mid-tone hues; the 3D color management technology that allows users to fine-tune the six colors independently for hue, saturation to suit the requirements of specific applications, the off & go function and a detachable keypad.

Ish Bawa, Marcom Head, BenQ India, said, "Traditionally, it was thought that a big space is required for a projector to produce large sized image and a white screen for superior image quality. The BenQ MP771 combines the ease of using the projector in a small room with better-quality image without a perfect white screen. The new projector is particularly beneficial for those business houses, which have small and not-so perfect meeting rooms."

The BenQ MP771 has been priced at Rs 85,990.

Nikon Launches 3 New Digital Cameras

Nikon has added three new digital cameras to its line-up. One - COOLPIX P80 - to the COOLPIX P-Series and two - COOLPIX S52 and S52c - to its Style Series.

The COOLPIX P80, is a high-performance compact camera that integrates a 10.1 megapixel CCD image sensor with Nikon's Expeed digital image processing concept and an 18x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens.

The P80's 18x Zoom-NIKKOR lens covers focal lengths from 27-486mm (35mm format equivalent). To ensure steady shots while utilizing the camera's versatile zoom capabilities, the P80 is equipped with Optical Vibration Reduction (VR).

In line with other COOLPIX P-Series cameras, the P80 includes intuitive controls via dedicated command and mode dials, providing easy access to shooting controls and exposure mode settings. The P80 offers Programmed Auto [P], Shutter-priority Auto [S], Aperture-priority Auto [A] and Manual [M] modes. The P80 also has the all-new Sport Continuous Mode, allowing users to shoot as many as 30 consecutive pictures at four, six, or a quick 13 frames per second.

With a light sensitivity range up to ISO 6400, users can capture more natural-looking photos with minimal light, or fast moving subjects with unparalleled clarity.

The P80 has a large, 2.7-inch LCD monitor with anti-reflection coating, wide viewing angle and 230,000 dots of high resolution. An eye level electronic viewfinder is available for quick easy viewing in challenging lighting conditions.

The P80 also offers quick access to a selection of 15 different scene-optimized and movie modes including the ability to shoot pictures in both black and white and color simultaneously. The new graphical user interface has an enhanced pop-up design allowing for more precise menu navigation and interaction.

Nikon has incorporated its user-friendly Imaging Innovations into the P80, designed to make the photo-taking process easier and more intuitive. These technologies, referred to as "Nikon In-Camera Innovations" include In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, D-Lighting, and Face-Priority AF. In-Camera Red-Eye Fix automatically detects and corrects red eye, a common condition that occurs in flash photography.

In playback mode, D-Lighting compensates for excessive back-light or insufficient flash in images. Nikon's enhanced Face-Priority AF automatically finds and focuses on one person's face or up to 12 people's faces within one frame. Face-Priority AF provides faster and sharper focus to produce clear, crisp portraits wherever the subjects are positioned in the frame.

The COOLPIX P80 comes packaged with Nikon's COOLPIX Software Suite for organizing, editing and sharing photos. It also has PictBridge support and is compatible with SD/SDHC cards. The COOLPIX P80 will be available beginning April 2008 and has an MSRP of $399.95.

Xbox 360 Motion Sensor Controller

The dream many of you had of playing an Xbox-Wii-60 might just come true – SeattlePI gains confirmation of the existence of the rumored motion sensing controller for the Xbox 360, code-named 'Newton'. They say that the hardware’s still a prototype, and it might be a while until we see a working (albeit leaked) image of the same.

Until then, we can only speculate of what it’d be like. Let’s hope it’s a stand-alone controller, and not something that gets attached to the existing 360 controllers out there.

Quite frankly, I’d prefer if they’d work on getting more stable hardware out, since I’m really at my wit’s end with the Xbox 360’s unstable hardware.

Shuttle Releases Blu-Ray/HD DVD Combo PC

The market for HTPCs has begun to heat up, now that the war between HD DVD and Blu-Ray is over. A lot of manufacturers keeping in mind the already installed user-base of HD DVD, have started releasing hybrid solutions that sport both formats. The latest to do this is Shuttle who has released its first AMD-based HD-compatible Mini-PC Complete System. This mini-PC can play high-resolution films from both Blu-ray and HD DVD media. It also sports a single HDMI cable that can transfer top quality image and sound to modern flat-screen televisions for play back, thereby avoiding any expensive installation costs.

"The LG GGC-H20L Combo drive is suitable for both HD formats and AMD's Athlon 64 X2 6000+ processor and in conjunction with the 2GB DDR2-800 memory delivers the required performance for fluid playback," explained Tom Seiffert, Head of Marketing & PR at Shuttle Computer Handels GmbH.

The new Mini-PC Complete System is based on: Shuttle XPC Barebone SN68SG2 with the PF27 front panel from the "Shuttle XPC Accessories" program. It sports an AMD Athlon X2 6000 processor, 2x 1GB DDR2-800 RAM, 500GB, Serial-ATAII drive, LG GGC-H20L Blu-ray/HD DVD Combo drive a DVB-T/Analog Hybrid tuner and a 25-in-1 Card-Reader. The OS used is Windows Vista Home Premium . The Shuttle XPC G5 6801M is available immediately with specialist retailers. at a recommended price of EUR 1,234 (w/o VAT).

Microsoft Optical Mice

in 5 New Colors
Microsoft plans to issue special edition versions of the Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 - in five fashionable new colors.

Taking cues from the design and color trends found in today’s apparel, accessories and other consumer electronics, the special editions of the Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 will be offered in Pomegranate (red), Dragon fruit (dark pink), Aloe (green), Milk chocolate (brown) and Creme brulee (khaki).

"Buying a tech product these days is a declaration of personal style, and these special edition mice allow consumers to make the ultimate statement," said Sean Butterworth, product marketing manager for Microsoft Hardware. "The Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 has always been a fan favorite, and these color updates will keep it in the forefront for years to come."

The Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 features High Definition Optical Technology that has the exclusive Microsoft Intelligent Tracking System for smoother tracking, 1,000 dots per inch for more responsiveness and 6,000 frames per second for better precision. Its has a compact shape and ambidextrous form, sculpted finger grooves and rubber side grips. Snap-in receiver conserves battery life by automatically turning off power when snapped into the bottom of the mouse.

The following special edition colors of the Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 will be available in May at Best Buy stores for an estimated retail price of $29.95 (U.S.) The Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 is backed by a three-year limited hardware warranty.