This Changes Everything, Part II

While I was previously blown away by the RED One digital cinema camera and looking forward to the prospect of a DSLR version, it looks like the RED team is gearing up for something even better. In an epic thread, Jim Jannard announced that they had taken the Scarlet back to the drawing board to introduce something even more game changing for delivery in 2009.

Given that Canon's new EOS 5D MkII DSLR appears to shoot amazing 1080p video, it looks like the possibility of a converged still/digital video camera is going to be the next rage.

Check out the high-resolution version (and that's only at 1/4 size!).

Seeing that $600 is the most I've ever paid for a camera, the $2500-4000 price bracket is on the pricey side, but seeing the results possible from such professional-quality cameras may make me take up photography as a serious hobby.

[EDIT: changed link to movie and removed the YouTube version which has been taken down]

Bright Blinds for the cube dweller

I work in an office with no windows, and while it has crossed my mind to get our facilities group to break out the outside wall to get some natural light, this concept looks like a more-feasible option.



[via The Hottest Gadgets]

A low tech wish

Ran across this "digital message tape" and it's another thing to add to my wishlist. Reminds me of those convenience store signs that work on the same principle.

Sure, I could use a magic marker and write on the side of a box---that would be faster and cheaper. Or use the Brother P-Touch labeler I've used for years. But what's the fun in that?

This Changes Everything

Wired has a great article this month about the RED digital movie camera designed by a team assembled by Jim Jannard, the founder of Oakley. It's insanely affordable ($17.5K for a professional movie camera), comes very close to film quality, and outputs in an easy-to-edit digital format. Moreover, it even handles focus similarly to film, allowing striking photography. Check out this sample:


BIKER teaser from Macgregor on Vimeo.

But what I'm even more excited about is a DSLR version that is supposedly in the works. It bodes well for our future if one day consumers can own a camera such as this. It could make our digicam shots today look like Polaroids by comparison. Given that RED is releasing a $3000 camcorder version of the RED One next year, maybe that day will be here sooner.

Sail-van Concept

Normally, I usually say, "WTF were they thinking?" when I see concept cars at auto shows. But in the case of the VW Caddy Topos Sail, I'm in love. The wood deck may not be practical (like having to recline on a grimy, bird- and bug-stained roof or keeping the neighborhood kids and my co-workers off of it), but it's strangely enticing. Must...have...impractical, gimmicky Eurovan...just for the teak deck with railing.

PixelJunk Eden

Not that the PS3 needs more eye candy, but a title that has that and more is PixelJunk Eden. A download title from the PlayStation Store, it's a gorgeous puzzle platformer with a great techno/chillout soundtrack. It's kind of hard to describe but IGN and 1Up have done a good job explaining the premise of the game.

I've downloaded the demo, and as soon as I get my PS3's hard drive upgraded, it will be the first downloadable title that I'll buy. Even the wife was fascinated by Eden, and she's not really into console or action games. Check out a video of the action to get an idea why it is such a unique title--and a bargain at $10.