Samsung releases two new camcorders at CES

by News Editor

Published on Jan 8, 2003 12:00 AM
Add to My Yahoo!




ITCAM-7 Digital Gadget
Rather than tape, Samsung's ITCAM-7 uses a 1.5 GB HDD to store still and motion pictures, as well as music, audio and data files - enabling it to hold more than one hour of high-quality footage. Using a USB 2.0 port, transferring an hour of footage to or from the computer takes only five minutes.

The ITCAM-7 saves each new shot as a separate media file, making it possible to locate a specific clip instantly and simple to organize media clips for editing. Editing software is bundled with each ITCAM-7 for consumer convenience.

The ITCAM-7 also works as a portable movie player. An MPEG-4 media file can be played back - 30 frames per second - at 640x480 screen resolution on its two-inch trans-reflective screen, or a TV screen. Through its embedded RCA port, the ITCAM-7 can connect to a television or VCR to display or record audio-visual content. Media formats such as MP3s are also supported for playback.

The specifications we have so far on this unit are:

  • Camcorder: MPEG4, 1.5 or 3 Mbps, VGA (640x480)
  • Digital camera (JPEG, 640x480)
  • MP3 player
  • Audio recorder
  • Data storage
  • Webcam
  • Lens: Optical 10x zoom
  • CCD: 350K pixels
  • LCD: 2.0" LCD, 211K pixels
  • Storage: 1.5 GB HDD, Memory stick
  • Recording time: 66min in "Super Fine" mode
  • Interface: USB 2.0
  • Size: 64mm x 33.5mm x 103mm (about the size of a thick calculator)
  • Weight: 185g
SCD-5000
It seems Samsung has figured out that digital camcorders make poor digital still cameras. Instead of finding a way to get a multi-megapixel CCD to take video, they have opted for the brute-force solution - creating a camera with two separate CCD assemblies. The SCD5000's unique swivel lens mechanism permits easy switching between the two functions; one side of the assembly houses the camcorder lens and sensor and the other side holds the mechanism for the digital still camera.

The digital still camera function creates sharp images with 4.13 mega-pixel CCD resolution. Compared to most digital camcorders that store low-resolution still images at 640 x 480 pixels, the SCD5000 produces 2272 x 1704 images suitable for large size prints. Additionally, the SCD5000's embedded strobe allows still picture taking in low light conditions. Other features include a 3x optical zoom for camera and swivel lens assembly. The images can be stored in Memory Stick media and transferred through USB ports.

As a digital camcorder, the SCD5000 features a 680K pixel CCD, MiniDV and MPEG-4 recording. The lens allows users the option of a 10X optical or 800x digital zoom. Samsung's proprietary Power Nite Pix function greatly improves picture quality under unfavorable light conditions. And the SCD5000's two-inch trans-reflective LCD viewfinder ensures optimal clarity even under direct sunlight. Captured footage is transferred through the IEEE1394 (FireWire) connector. The unit uses electronic image stabilization, but it is unclear whether it is for both assemblies or just the camcorder assembly.

Samsung's press information on these and other products being released at CES can be seen at Samsung's web site.