hardware

Bought this weird beast I twittered about yesterday.

by zebtron.

1 comment

I’m a sucker for something that is 25% of the original retail.

The “iSee 360i iPod Video/Recorder for iPod”

It essentially uses an iPod exclusively as a hard drive and has it’s own processor and screen.

It records and plays back video.

I forgot I had a 4GB iPod mini sitting around that works perfecly, except for the lack of a useful screen.

I’ve used it for years as a small firewire drive, but now it gets to be more useful again.

I’m pretty sure the video will look so-so, but for $40 it should be fun.

I am thinking about finding a cheap video cam that just has an composite video out.

kick ass: camera RAW format without buying a new camera

Apr 4th, 2008

by admin.

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Wired has a really cool Wiki explaining how to get some great new features on a Canon camera using free custom software. It even leaves the existing firmware intact.

Biggest addition for me is the ability to shoot in camera raw format (CRW).

You will need to convert that CRW to a PNG, but that is pretty simple.

Even though the utility says it only support DIGIC II, it does work with the SD 800 IS which has a DIGIC III.

I am running a beta build on my Powershot SD800 IS.

Haven’t spent much time with it, but it is pretty cool so far.

I just love custom code on my consumer electronics!

Now I need to get RockBox running on my Sansa e250!

update: RockBox is running on my e250 and… well… rocks!

update: Here is some video I shot using CHDK’s ability to change the bitrate or quality via new menus.

Untitled from zebtron on Vimeo.
caveat: this video was converte3d in some manner my vimeo.

Why do I have so many MP3 players?

Apr 3rd, 2008

by zebtron.

1 comment

I finally broke down and bought an MP3 player that is smaller than the 3 I already have.

I decided, as I am working out almost every day, that I needed a smaller PMP primarily for working out.

I wanted something that was:

1. cheap

2. small

3. had a memory card slot so I can easily update the card and then throw the card in the player. Also so I could have multiple cards.

4. FM tuner

And what did I find? The Sandisk Sansa e250. A 2GB flash-based MP3 player that almost/kinda’ does video. It plays WMA, MP3, AAC, audible, and WMA DRM files. Almost plays photos and video, but you are required to use the Windows-only software to convert the files into a format specific to the e2xx. It does have an FM tuner and records FM radio as well as voice messages using the built-in mic.