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/ 09.23.2009 12:00AM
TVB Tech Alert: USB 3.0 Webcam Demoed at IDF
SAN FRANCISCO: A
USB 3.0 Webcam was demonstrated streaming uncompressed 1080p video this week at
the Intel Developer Conference. The prototype device, from Point Grey Research
in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada.
“The prototype camera... uses the new 3 megapixel Sony IMX036 CMOS image
sensor, which features high sensitivity, superior color fidelity, low power,
and no smear,” the company’s product release states. “The sensor also supports
an HD 1080p60 mode, which allows the camera to output raw, uncompressed 1920 x
1080 pixel images at 60 frames per second. Point Grey’s own software driver
provides low-level control of the camera via the USB 3.0 bus.
“The camera is connected to a USB 3.0 interface card on the host side which is
powered by the FL1000, a PCI Express-to-SuperSpeed USB Extensible Host
Controller Interface host controller chip from Fresco Logic. The host PC uses
an Intel i5-based P7P55D motherboard from ASUS.”
USB 3.0 itself is said to be ten times faster than 2.0, less power-consumptive
and backwards compatible. Gizmodo
said video from the device displayed a “crystal clear” picture on a 42-inch
monitor. Point Grey indicated the camera would be ready for prime time later
this year or early in 2010.
Other TVB Tech Alerts:
September 21, 2009: “HDI Unveils Laser 3DTV”
Silicon Valley start-up HDI has unveiled its laser, hi-def 3DTV. The
company demonstrated its prototype for reporters in the Bay Area last week.
September 10, 2009: “3GPP Integrated Mobile
Broadcasting Standard”
A new third-generation standard for mobile broadcasting was ratified this
week by the Global System for Mobile Association. The new 3GPP Integrated
Mobile Broadcast Standard facilitates mobile broadcasting over different types
of cell networks.
July 7, 2009: “Mitsubishi
LaserVue Price Drops”
The price of Mitsubishi’s laser-based TV sets is coming down. The company’s
65-inch L65A90 LaserView HDTV sets are now going for $6,499 on Amazon, a $500
discount from the introduction price of around $7,000. The LaserVues were
unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January, 2008, and
rolled out in the market last fall.
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Thursday 12:00AM
Broadcasters File Suit Against FCC’s Political File Rules
“The FCC decision to put the political files online will bring broadcasters into the 21st century, and will make already public information more easily accessible to everyone.” Free Press Senior Policy Counsel Corie Wright.