Harish Raju Musings

In what’s probably the most interesting camcorder announcement of 2009, Sony proffers the Handycam HDR-XR500 and HDR-XR520, a pair of hard-disk-based AVCHD camcorders which integrate the dual firsts of built-in GPS and a new Exmor-R back-illuminated CMOS sensor.

Though the sensor isn’t new, this is the first time we’re seeing it in products. The technology, which flips the layers so that the photosites are above the electronics where they can get more light, may prove an effective way to improve low-light performance, the continuing weak aspect of consumer camcorders. Sony claims an 8dB increase in sensitivity, for a 50 per cent reduction in noise.

Annoyingly, Sony continues to overstate the resolution of its sensors. This one’s 6 megapixels, though you’ll see the company claiming 12 megapixels — its interpolated resolution — all over its marketing materials.

Sony Handycam HDR-XR500: GPS camcorder - Crave at CNET UK

Some of my work back in 2005 which was featured on the Technology Collaborative Website. I was the principal investigator for this project which created a embedded FPGA with built in face detection.

“Face detection is a vital task in surveillance and security applications and is the precursor to face recognition. Further, next generation video conferencing and market research applications rely on face detection and classification to personalize user experience.

Advanced Interfaces (AI) has developed software implementations for face detection and classification as part of its VideoMiningâ„¢ suite of solutions. There have been a few attempts at mapping face detection on hardware platforms. However, these solutions suffer either from the poor quality of algorithms used or from the lack of a compact solution as they use multiple boards. Both these drawbacks are serious limitations to integration of robust face detection capability into compact embedded devices. The goal of this proposal is to circumvent these difficulties.

The proposed solution would address the needs of high-growth digital video surveillance market that is estimated to experience a compounded annual growth rate of 55% to reach $7.4 billion by 2007.

If this project is successful, we anticipate to help diversify our company products to new applications such as automated video surveillance monitoring, video conferencing and video monitoring for intelligence and market research at retail stores.

TTC member companies such as Tyco, Marconi and Seegrid can potentially benefit from this technology by integrating it with their products. Companies like OKI will benefit from the validation of their SoC platforms for Video Processing applications. The value proposition includes localized faces for face recognition and biometrics, automated security triggers and alarms, personalized video conferencing, reduction in overall system cost, increased performance and better video encoding. ”

The Technology Collaborative : TTC Press Release: February 28, 2005

The FCX Clarity, which runs on hydrogen and electricity, emits only water and none of the noxious fumes believed to induce global warming.

It is also two times more energy efficient than a gas-electric hybrid and three times that of a standard gasoline-powered car, the company says.Japan’s third biggest automaker expects to lease out a “few dozen” units this year and about 200 units within three years.

In California, a three-year lease will run $600 a month, which includes maintenance and collision coverage.

Honda rolls out a new zero-emission car - Autos- msnbc.com

Tags: HondaClarity, Zero Emission, FCX Clarity

Honda Motor Co. is coming out with hybrid cars starting early next year that will cost about $1,900 more than comparable gas-only models. The cost for the Detroit Three, according to industry analysts, could be lower market share as U.S. consumers continue their rapid shift to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.Analysts say the new hybrids, including a gas-electric hybrid-only model to fight the popular Toyota Prius and a hybrid version of the subcompact Fit, will hit the market at the right time with gasoline prices continuing to rise.

Honda hybrids may be nightmare for Detroit - Autos- msnbc.com

Tags: honda, hybrid, honda fit, honda civic

Where do you want to place your speakers?
As simple as that question is, this has turned into a weekend obsession for me. I have finally decided to go with the KEF KHT 3005 speakers with Onkyo TX-SR705 receiver.
Here is a good article from Crutchfield about Speaker Placements:

“One of the most important things to consider when shopping for in-wall, on-wall, or in-ceiling speakers is where you’re going to place them. How you place your speakers depends on how you’re going to listen to them, as well as what your room’s architecture allows. Whether you’re installing them in your current home or pre-wiring a home that’s under construction, the guidelines below can help you get a speaker setup that sounds good and works with the build and design of your room.Keep in mind that these are ideal guidelines, but in reality, you may not be able to place your speakers in these precise locations in every room. As you’re reading these tips, make a note of which ones apply to your needs and goals, as well as which ones will work with your room’s design.”

In-wall, In-ceiling, and On-wall Speaker Placement

Tags: HomeTheater System Speakers

Nice Article from PCMAG about 5 ideas that could reinvent computing. It remains to be seen if this is indeed the case.



What’s in the works at the leading high-tech research labs? Some awfully cool stuff—to say the least. This spring, we checked in on five of our favorites—Bell Labs, HP Labs, IBM Research, Microsoft Research, and the granddaddy of them all: the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), the former Xerox facility that spawned Ethernet, laser printing , the GUI operating system, and so much more.These research powerhouses have gone through a fair number of changes in recent years—PARC is now a completely independent operation—but they continue to push the outside of the high-tech envelope. Here, we profile a particularly clever project from each one, showcasing five ideas that reinvent everything from pointing devices to artificial intelligence. Some could bear fruit in a matter of months. Others might need years. But all will pique your interest.

Five Ideas That Will Reinvent Modern Computing

Surface is the first commercially available surface computer from Microsoft Corp. It turns an ordinary tabletop into a vibrant, interactive surface. The product provides effortless interaction with digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects. In essence, it’s a surface that comes to life for exploring, learning, sharing, creating, buying and much more. Soon to be available in restaurants, hotels, retail establishments and public entertainment venues, this experience will transform the way people shop, dine, entertain and live.

Surface is a 30-inch display in a table-like form factor that’s easy for individuals or small groups to interact with in a way that feels familiar, just like in the real world. Surface can simultaneously recognize dozens and dozens of movements such as touch, gestures and actual unique objects that have identification tags similar to bar codes.

Read More Here.

The fastest iMac ever, the 24-inch iMac provides professional
performance along with the convenience of an all-in-one design. Like
its 17-inch and 20-inch siblings, it features the new 64-bit Intel Core
2 Duo processor with speeds ranging from 1.83GHz to 2.33GHz. The new
processor delivers up to 50% more performance than the previous 20-inch
iMac. It also doubles the amount of L2 cache, the twin cores sharing
4MB between them. The result? Turbocharged performance,
making it easier — and more fun — than ever to work with digital
photos, movies, music, and the web.

Apple - iMac - Tech Specs