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Posts with tag creative

Kodak's new Zi6 HD pocket video camera for the YouTube set


Sure, it might shoot 720p video, but you aren't gonna catch indie filmmakers capturing the next low-budget masterpiece on Kodak's new Zi6 HD pocket video camera. The camera is Kodak's response to Pure Digital's Flip and Creative's Vado, complete with upright form factor, YouTube friendliness, simple as could be interface, a flip-out USB plug (with some surprising spring action), and, of course, totally shoddy video quality. The camera is powered by a pair of AA batteries, sports a 2.4-inch LCD, and can switch between VGA video, 30fps HD and 60fps HD. It'll sell for $180 in September, in black or pink, but there's only 128MB of memory on board -- you'll have to spring for an SD card if you want to do any substantial shooting.

Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 HDMI sound card does bitstream output from your HTPC

Earlier this month, ASUS introduced the "world's first HDMI 1.3a compliant audio / video enhancement combo card." Who knew numero dos was so close behind? Auzentech has just announced its very own HDMI 1.3-native PCIe audio combo card, which is built around Creative's X-Fi processor and enables PC users to easily output 7.1-channel audio with no downsampling. Essentially, the Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 "accepts video from either an internal or external connection, mixes it with digital audio, and outputs the combined video and lossless multichannel audio via a single HDMI 1.3 port." Yep, that means Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio codecs are fully supported. The only digs? For one, pricing remains a mystery, but the real kicker is the September release -- talk about a long wait.

Creative Xdock HD upconverts iPod content to 720p / 1080i


We've no qualms with seeing yet another iPod dock that upscales material to HD, but it seems Creative got a bit too rambunctious when penning its press release for the Xdock HD. Contrary to its claims, the aforementioned device actually isn't the first to do what it does. 'Course, it may have a point with the whole "upscaling your audio to X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity," so we'll just consider it a wash. Nevertheless, this bugger connects to your home theater system via HDMI, component or composite and relies on analog / optical outputs for audio. It also outputs an HD interface, comes with a remote and has the ability to "distribute music throughout your home to X-Fi Wireless Receivers up to 100 feet away without requiring a wireless network." Unfortunately, the Xdock HD (bundled with one X-Fi Wireless Receiver) will set you back nearly four bills, but you can look for it later this Spring if it tickles your fancy.

[Via PCMag]

Creative intros Xmod Wireless sound system


Creative has already extended its X-Fi audio processing technology beyond its sound cards (most recently to iPods), but it now looks to be trying to plant the sound-boosting gear in the rest of your house, and it's hoping that its new Xmod Wireless system will be the device to do it. As with its other X-Fi products, Creative is boasting that the system will make "MP3s sound better than CDs," with no setup or configuration required. Unlike the standard standard Xmod device, however, you won't have to sit at your computer to enjoy that impressive, if somewhat questionable feat, with the main Xmod Wireless unit able to transmit tunes to up to four receivers within a 100 foot range (only one is included). You're also apparently able to use the included remote with both the transmitter and receiver to control volume, song selection, and other functions. There's no WiFi here though, just the good 'ol 2.4GHz frequency -- which would seem to open up the possibility of interference, although Creative seems confident that won't be a problem. If you want to check it out for yourself, you can snag the bundle of one transmitter and one receiver now for $200, and as many additional receivers as you like for $100 apiece.

Creative releases Xdock, i600, and i500 iPod docks

Creative Xdock Wireless for iPodsCreative continues to cater to the iPod crowd with three new lines of docking accessories for Apple's players, including two with speakers, and one for pairing with home theaters or televisions. The X-Fi Sound System i600 is a copy of Creative's Z600 for Zen Vision:M, and the Playdock i500 and TravelSound i are modifications of the Zen's Z500 and TravelSound Zen V, all three going the built-in speaker route. Finally, the Xdock Wireless, which we first saw at CES, connects wirelessly to X-Fi remote receivers. From there it's wired to powered speakers or a home theater through line out, digital audio, S-video, or composite. Now let's hope Creative will put some of that iPod accessory income to good use building the next Zen Vision player.




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