Sanyo’s Xacti C1
Fits in your shirt pocket!

Sanyo Pocket Cam-corder is the world’s lightest high-resolution MPEG-4 camcorder/digital camera. Completely Tapeless, it Records Onto a Tiny SD Memory Card for Fast Transfer to PCs

Face it: The Japanese have a love for small things. The smaller the gadget, the better, and more so if it's a two-in-one kind of a gadget. So, Sanyo comes up with the new VPC-C1 Xacti Pocket CameraCorderTM. Capable of superb, DVD-like video recording with CD-like audio quality, the unique Sanyo CameraCorder can also take high-resolution, 3.2 mega-pixel still images. Compact enough to fit snugly in your hand or carry easily inside a pocket or small purse, it's the ideal, all-in-one device for capturing life's special moments whenever and wherever they occur.

At just 155 g (5.4 ounces), the Sanyo Xacti CameraCorder is the world's lightest high-resolution MPEG-4 camcorder and digital camera with memory card storage. It incorporates advanced MPEG-4 digital recording and a proprietary, state-of-the-art MPEG-4 chip for richly detailed images and sound. Storage is completely "tapeless," and comes in the form of an included, postage stamp-size 128 megabyte SD memory card, which lets users record full-motion video at an industry standard 30-frames-per-second
(VGA-size: 640x480). And, unlike ordinary camcorders, users — while recording in video mode — can simultaneously capture still images with a simple shutter press.

The VPC-C1 Xacti CameraCorder has a suggested retail price of $1099.99. It is now available at selected retailers nationwide. The Sanyo Xacti Pocket CameraCorder offers a cost-effective, technology-driven, pocket-size solution for individuals and families wishing to have the best of both worlds — digital still photography and full-motion digital video.

Since the CameraCorder records both video and still images as individual digital files, it’s fast and easy to transfer them to your PC or Mac for playback or sharing via e-mail attachments with friends and family. The CameraCorder comes with a Multifunction Docking Station that connects to a computer via high-speed USB 2.0 connection cable. The Docking Station can be used as a battery charger or as an AC power source during playback. It can also be used to easily connect the CameraCorder to a TV or PC for convenient, instant playback of recently shot videos and images. A handy, ultra-thin infrared remote control is included for simplified menu browsing and playback.

The CameraCorder also comes equipped with a special PC Kit of high-performance moviemaking software. These tools build on the VPC-C1's impressive in-camera editing capability and help prepare your edited programs for transfer to DVD or creation of a Video CD disc.

Supplied software includes:

• Motion Director, the world's first image stabilizing software for the PC, reduces the effects of a shaking camera hand by detecting unwanted camera movement in video files. Statistical analysis helps ensure a stable and highly accurate image during playback.
• Ulead Video Studio 7 SE DVD for editing and assembling MPEG-4 video files and translating files for burning in DVD, VCD or SVCD format.
• Ulead Photo Explorer 8.0 SE Basic for quickly viewing and trimming video files, plus viewing and editing photo files.
• l Quick Time 6.3 for video playback in MPEG-4 format.
Price: ¥75,000

Text: Maki Nibayashi • Photos: Courtesy—Sanyo

Oide, oide...

The Doraemon toy that hits you up for bean cakes and the device that translates your baby's screams

Doraemon is here!

Bandai will release an interactive "Doraemon the Robot" toy in March. "Doraemon" is the adorable cat-shaped robot cartoon character that hails from the 22nd century. The Doraemon toy robot, patterned after the cartoon, can converse and interact with humans, using its ability to recognize almost a dozen words and its own speaking vocabulary of 750 words.

Standing 26.5 centimeters tall and weighing 1.3 kilograms, the robot also contains 10 types of light and inclination sensors, and can tell when someone has hit it on the head, when it responds "Hey, that hurts." When it is stroked, it says, "If you're going to stroke me I wouldn't mind a bean-jam pancake as well." Now who among us hasn’t uttered that phrase? The robot can also run and respond to other sounds as well as light. It is priced at 19,800 yen.

What U Cryin’ Bout, Baby?

By now you may have heard about Takara’s “Bowlingual,” the machine that purportedly translates your pooch’s growls, whimpers, barks and snarls into human language. Well, if you’re not sure if you really wanted that in your life, perhaps you’ll be more interested in the idea of proposition of deciphering your newborn’s incomprehensible yet earnest musings, otherwise known as crying. A new device for analyzing a baby's crying was released on January 15th.

A Japanese company has begun importing "WhyCry," from Spain, to give moms and dads a helping hand in their desperate attempts to placate their crying infant. The palm-sized machine measures 14 centimeters by nine centimeters. Once its microphone picks up the baby’s voice, the device analyzes the strength and rhythm of the baby's cry, then displays one of various illustrations representing feelings such as "hungry," "sleepy," etc., for easy identification by the parent.

"WhyCry" is designed for babies up to ten months old, who are too young to speak, it weighs 290gms, sized 45x123x180mm and priced at 16,800 yen.

Text: HWJ