New York – Value camcorder manufacturer
unveiled here Tuesday an expanded
line of digital camcorders, highlighted by one of the industry’s first consumer
models capable of capturing images in 3D.
The DXG 3DView pocket 3D camcorder, model DXG-321, will be
bundled as a $600 suggested retail kit that will include the camcorder and a 7-inch
LCD glasses-free 3D “media player” viewscreen.
The special LCD display is capable of playing back 3D
stereoscopic images recorded by the DXG-321 without the need for glasses to see
the 3D effect. However, images recorded by the camcorder will be playable both
on the screen and on most 3D TV displays available from many manufacturers this
year, using both active-shutter glasses and polarized glasses.
DXG sales and marketing senior VP Paul Goldberg said the company
plans to market several versions of the 3D camcorders, although the DXG-321
will be the first to market. It will offer only standard-definition resolution
pictures, but will capture both video and stills in either 3D or 2D.
The camcorder itself uses a vertical pistol-style design with a
flip-out 3.2-inch 3D LCD viewscreen.
The bundled 3D media player will support up to 800 by 400-pixel resolution
and produces 3D images using parallax barrier auto-stereoscopic technology. An
HD version of the 3DView camcorder is expected to follow later in the year, the
company said.
Model DXG-321 will be introduced to the market through retail
partners, including Hammacher Schlemmer, in the June/July time frame, Goldberg
said.
The 3D camcorder, which uses built-in side-by-side lenses to
capture subjects from two simultaneous perspectives, will record in standard-definition
VGA resolution on SD memory cards in the AVI movie file format. Still images are captured in up to 5-megapixel
resolution, also in a choice of 3D or 2D.
To play back images on the included LCD media player, the SD card
must be removed from the camcorder and inserted into a slot on the display, the
company said. No HDMI 1.4 output is included on the camcorder.
Playback on other 3D displays should be accommodated over
composite-video cables, since the images are in standard-definition resolution,
said Jeff Shu, DXG engineering VP.
DXG is currently discussing distribution arrangements with
specialty photo dealers, and was said to be working with 3D TV manufacturers,
including Vizio, in offering the camcorder in a bundle with some 3D TV sets
later this year.
Meanwhile, the company continued to expand offerings in its core
HD digital camcorder lines.
The entry DXG-5B6V QuickShots camcorder series (available now at $80
suggested retails each) features vertically styled models in six color options,
each capable of up to 720p/30 fps HD video resolution (in H.264 compression
format) and 16-megapixel still image resolution. A 2.4-inch LCD viewscreen
flips out of the side of the camera. Images are recorded to SD cards and can be
played back on a TV via an HDMI output.
Goldberg said DXG’s designer Luxe Collection proved to be so
popular with women last year that the company has expanded the range with three
lines of horizontally styled models in three color patterns (nine SKUs), each shipping
now at $150 suggested retails. All offer 720p/30 fps HD resolution, H.264
recording, up to 8-megapixel resolution and a 3-inch flip-out LCD screen.
The company will launch its first HD 1080p model in the Luxe
Collection through the Home Shopping Network starting June 5.
For active shooters, DXG is offering four models starting in May in
its DXG Sportster series, featuring two models with horizontal styling and two
with vertical pistol-grip body designs.
All can be taken underwater to a depth of 10 feet for up to one
hour, and are said to be ideal for people who want to shoot video while skiing,
boating or playing by the pool.
The DXG-5B1V HD model ($150), features 1080p/30 fps HD video
capture in H.264 format, 12-megapixel still images, a 5MP CMOS image sensor,
vertical design with 3-inch flip-out LCD and SDHC memory card support.
The DXG-5B2V HD ($130) offers the same feature pack, but records
video in up to 720p/30 fps resolution.
The DXG-5B7V HD ($150) offers the same features and resolution at
the 5B1V, but substitutes vertical, pistol-grip body styling.
The DXG-5B8V HD ($130) has the same features and resolution as
the 5B2V, but with a vertical, pistol-grip design.
For more advanced picture quality, the DXG is now offering four
models in its Pro Gear line. All feature up to 1080p/30 fps HD image capture,
HDMI output and Arcsoft editing software.
The top-of-the-line DXG-A85V HD ($330) offers both 1080p/30 fps
and 720/60 fps HD video capture in H.264 format and still images in up to
20-megapixel resolution. It includes a 10-megapixel CMOS imaging sensor, a 12x
optical zoom lens with 10x digital extension, 3-inch LCD touchscreen,
high-speed sequential shooting mode, and dual capture mode for shooting both video
and stills simultaneously. Also included is Eye-Fi wireless photo and video
transfer and an advanced manual-focus system with electronic image-stabilization
support.
The DXG-A80V ($300) steps down in still image resolution to 12
megapixels, with an optical zoom range to 5x.
The DXG-590V HD ($250) carries the same features as the A80V but
substitutes a 5-megapixel CMOS sensor.
The entry Pro Gear
model, DXG-587 HD ($200), drops the Eye-Fi wireless transfer systems,
dual-capture mode and high-speed sequential shooting mode, and substitutes a 5x
optical/4x digital zoom range.
