Favourite tech picture of the day – 14th of April 2008

Does a lamp have the brain to do this? Great 3D art from Andre Kutscherauer (Source: io9)

Canon XL H1S and XL H1A not going far enough?

Canon’s new XL H1S and XL H1A prosumer videocameras are the new versions of a legendary product line that created a new segment and integrated in a compact package features previously expected only by heavy and cumbersome back-breakers.

The improvements are not revolutionary and concentrate on better controls and a better user experience. The sensors remain the same 3 1/3-inch CCDs with 16:9 aspect and 1440×1080 resolution. With the new cameras you also get the updated 20x HD Video Lens III with better feel and adjustments.

Overall however, there is a feeling that not much has changed. Admittedly, the XL series can hardly be criticised for being run-of-the-mill. However, at a time when storage media are modernised, what is the point of retaining tape as the storage medium?

CHDK = How to turbo-boost your Canon compact

Have you ever wondered whether maybe -just hypothetically asking!- your Canon compact can do a lot more than you can currently access? If you have, you are not far from the truth. Like all modern electronics, it is all down to the processing unit in the camera’s heart. And if it is a Digic II or III -i.e.: one of the two latest generations- you can use CHDK firmware to reach all available functions.

CHDK stands for Canon Hacker’s Development Kit and you can load it onto your Canon compact without fear, since the original firmware can be restored. According to the CHDK wiki, the list of enhancements is as follows:

• Shooting in RAW.
• Live histogram (RGB, blended, luminance and for each RGB channel).
• Zebra mode (blinking highlights and shadows).
• Depth of field calculator.
• Battery indicator.
• Scripts execution (exposure/focus/… bracketing, intervalometer and more).
• File browser.
• Text reader.
• Calendar.
• Some fun tools and games.