I wrote about the Aiptek A-HD a while back as an inexpensive 720p HD camcorder. Today I just realized that Aiptek has a newer model, the A-HD+, which will also record in 1080p @ 30fps and 720p @ 60fps. This economy, high-definition camcorder looks to be a great entry-level camcorder that just happens to be HD. This camera also has the appeal of being easy to carry with you where ever you go, without having to worry about damaging or losing a high-dollar piece of equipment.

Here are the product features from Aiptek’s site:

• 1080P High Definition Digital Camcorder:
  Capture stunning HD 1080P (1440 x 1080 - 16:9 aspect ratio) video at 30 frames per second with advanced H.264 high end compression technology. Playback on your HD-TV, Standard TV, and your PC or Mac!
• Perfect for Sports & Fast Action Events w/ 720P HD @ 60 FPS:
  Capture stunning HD 720P (1280 x 720 - 16:9 aspect ratio) video at 60 frames per second. Perfect for any sporting events! Playback on your HD-TV, Standard TV, and your PC or Mac!
• Personal Media Player & Recorder:
  Connect the camera to your TV/VCR/DVD player to record your favorite movies, TV shows, and other favorite videos. Playback directly on the 2.4″ LCD or create your own Digital Video Library. Records from any device that has RCA outputs for entertainment on the go!
• Digital Still Camera:
  Capture 8 Mega Pixel images. Macro lens enables you to take exceptional quality close-ups.
• Digital Zoom:
  4x real time digital zoom allows you to Zoom In/Out while recording video!
• Swivel-Reversible 2.4″ TFT Color LCD Display:
  Review and playback you HD video clips and hi-res pictures in real time. LCD swivels 270° for unlimited video and photo taking.
• Night Shot:
  Enhance image quality in low light situations.
• Convenient Power Charging:
  Built-in Charger! Charge via computer USB port or via AC adapter.
• HDTV Component Output:
  Connect your A-HD+ to your HD-TV Component input ports to display your high definition video clips and still pictures, sharing them with friends and family.
• Removable Hard Disk and SD/MMC Card Reader:
  The A-HD+ allows you to use up to 32GB of SD card storage to record longer video before having to upload to your PC.

If you are interested in seeing some video samples from an Aiptek A-HD+, follow the links below:
1440×1080 30p sample
1280×720 60p sample

The A-HD+ is not currently listed on Amazon, but I did find it at Best Buy for $169.99.
Aiptek A-HD+ 1080p camcorder at BestBuy.com
Aiptek’s official A-HD+ page

With the introduction of Apple’s faster iMacs, MacMall is offering special deals on iMacs, both closeout models and current models. The deals include:

• $50 mail-in rebate
• FREE Shipping
• FREE Parallels Desktop 3.0
• FREE Epson Stylus Printer

Click here for details

Brian Taylor has posted a preview of the next print in his letterpress series. I’m a big fan of Brian’s style.

Check it out:
Lost in Slumberland

Hey, Brian. I really like the Candykiller Compendium that my wife bought me for my birthday.

My wife and I saw Deception over the weekend. The movie itself was entertaining, though somewhat predictable.

The worst part of the whole thing was the two women sitting behind us who would not stop talking during the entire movie. At one point, one of them even answered her phone just to say, “Hey I’m watching this stupid movie right now. Can I call you back?” Jeez! If all you are going to do is talk and bad-mouth the movie, leave the theater. I turned around at one point, and asked them to shut up, but they were totally devoid of any class, or manners.

So, back to the movie. I really enjoyed Hugh Jackman’s character, a smooth-talking bad guy. I wasn’t overly impressed with Ewan McGregor, but maybe it was just the character he was playing wasn’t very interesting. Michelle Williams also did a fine job, but in the end the movie was forgettable. The ending felt so familiar, yet I can’t recall what other movie had the same “co-signer twist”.
Read the rest of this entry »

Today Apple gave the iMac lineup a nice speed bump with a top end model at 3.06GHz. The new processors include 6MB of L2 cache and a faster 1066MHz front-side bus. 2GB of RAM comes standard in all but the cheapest model.

Check out the new, faster iMacs.

This is a truly great xkcd comic!

Click for larger view

AMC’s season one of the series Mad Men will be available on DVD July 1, 2008. Check out that awesome package. Definitely one of the best looking DVD cases I’ve ever seen.

Pre-order from Amazon:
Mad Men: Season One at Amazon.com

Nintendo’s Wii Fit will be shipping on May 21, 2008. My wife wants one of these, and I think it looks fun too. We may have to buy one soon.

You can pre-order Wii Fit from Amazon:
Wii Fit at Amazon.com
Wii Fit at Amazon.co.uk

Tivo announced today that they will offer for a limited time, Lifetime Service for the life of the Tivo HD DVR if you buy a Tivo HD DVR between now and June 16, 2008. What does Lifetime Service mean to you? No monthly bills. With Lifetime Service on your Tivo HD DVR, you will receive Tivo service at no charge for the life of your DVR.

Tivo HD DVR features include:

• Works with your cable service even if you don’t yet have an HDTV. Replaces your cablebox, using CableCARD technology.
• Records 2 HD channels at once, while watching another recorded show.
• Includes an eSATA port so you can instantly add more recording space with the DVR expander hard drive.

In addition to the Lifetime Service, TiVo will also include a free TiVo Wireless Adapter so that the DVR can connect to your wireless network.

To take advantage of this limited time offer, click the link below.
Exclusive offer! Buy a TiVo HD DVR with Product Lifetime Service for $698.99!

Apple recently bought chipmaker P.A. Semi, possibly as a source of processors for iPods and iPhones, and maybe even Mac laptops. Apple paid $278 million for the chipmaker, so surely they have big plans for the technology.

P.A. Semi announced last year a 64-bit 2GHz processor that they claim is 300% more efficient than that of the competition. [Forbes]