Communications Technology

Japanese electronics giant Panasonic has unveiled what it says is the world’s first consumer camcorder to allow anyone to record in three dimensions using a special lens.

The electronics giant, which earlier launched a 3D camcorder for professional use, said its HDC-SDT750 camcorder, to be launched on August 20 in Japan, would allow “anyone to create powerful, true-to-life 3D images”.

Using a 3D conversion lens, the device will record left-eye and right-eye images simultaneously to produce a stereoscopic image that can be played back on 3D-capable TVs.

It will go on sale overseas later this year at a suggested retail price of $US1399.95, Panasonic said.

The camcorder can also record full high-definition images when the 3D lens is not attached, Panasonic said, and also features a time lapse recording feature which can play scenes such as a blooming flower at accelerated speed.

The entertainment and technology industries are gearing up to take advantage of the 3D bandwagon as the technology becomes increasingly mainstream and its popularity rises in the wake of Hollywood blockbusters such as “Avatar”.

Panasonic also said separately that the company would launch the “world’s first” interchangeable 3D lens for its LUMIX digital cameras before the end of this year, enabling high-quality 3D shooting.

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3D TVs are the next big thing in home entertainment. If you are interested in purchasing this fancy new technology check out these on offer now.

SONY BRAVIA
KDL46HX800LCD
(46-inch)
Price: $3499
Included 3D glasses: None. 3D
transmitter $69
Extra 3D glasses: $99 a pair
Rating: ****

SONY’S HX800 TV is one of its best 2D televisions thanks to its new Bravia Engine 3 processor that promises improved contrast, colour and clarity. It delivers, too, though black levels let down the picture quality.

The HX800’s ability to handle fast motion is impressive when watching sport, usually an LCD stumbling block, because it uses Sony’s 200Hz MotionFlow to keep the picture smooth and virtually judder-free.

A word of warning: the glasses are bulky.

LG
47LX9500 (47-inch)
Price: $4099
Included 3D glasses: Two pairs
Extra 3D glasses: $99 a pair
Rating: *** 1/2

LG’S panel is impressive right out of its box thanks to its svelte proportions and edge-to-edge glass screen. Onboard the full HD TV is TruMotion 400Hz to smooth out the picture, and Picture Wizard II to optimise the colour and brightness on the fly.

In 3D mode the picture depth is outstanding and immersive, while sharpness and clarity is consistent even with fast motion on the screen.

But the biggest disappointment in 2D and 3D modes is the easily noticeable picture grain that is more obvious in darker colours.

SAMSUNG
LED7000 (46-inch)
Price: $3699
Included 3D glasses: Two pairs
Extra 3D glasses: $99 per pair (battery rechargeable), $129 per pair (USB rechargeable)
Rating: ****

SAMSUNG’S first 3D panel is a head-turner with a slim design, LED-backlit LCD screen and on-screen internet widgets.

Viewing 2D TV on the Samsung Series 7 is a pleasure thanks to full HD resolution, rich and accurate colour reproduction and plasma-like black levels.

There is blurring in the background of some 3D sports telecasts, but this could be the fault of the broadcast.

Samsung’s 3D TV is the only model to off er 2D-to-3D conversion.

PANASONIC - OUR PICK
TH-P50VT20A (50-inch)
Price: $3299
Included 3D glasses: One pair
Extra 3D glasses: $199 a pair
Rating: ****

THIS plasma panel might be bulkier and more power-hungry than its LCD rivals, but these concessions are forgiven when the screen comes to life.

Plasma has the advantage over LCD when displaying fast-moving images and natural colours and the latest Panasonic panel continues the trend.

Whether watching sports or movies, the Panasonic plasma delivers in colour and clarity.

The Panasonic off ers comparable costs per square inch to rival 3D TVs, but you only get one pair of glasses with the TV.

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An internal Defence taskforce will investigate whether the leak of US defence documents on the Wikileaks website will have any impact on Australian operations in Afghanistan.

The Afghan War Diary, as it has been named by Wikileaks, contains six years’ worth of field reports of the conflict from coalition forces stationed in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Defence Minister John Faulkner had advised that the Defence Department had established a task force to examine these documents and identify any material relating to the Australian Defence Force, assessing what action, if any, needed to be taken in response.

Australia is mentioned in a small number of the documents, which in some cases cite instances where Australian troops have come under insurgent fire. One of the documents also details an incident in which soldiers shot at a man who failed to stop at a checkpoint. After engaging with small-arms fire, it was revealed that two children in the car had received serious injuries.

There are also several reported incidents published on Wikileaks in which Australian ordnance was found in Taliban weapons caches.

“After the taskforce completes its examination … [Defence Minister John Faulkner] has asked Defence to provide a briefing both to the government, obviously to him as Defence Minister, but also to the opposition, given we are in caretaker period,” Ms Gillard told reporters in Brisbane.

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