Sony’s Super Fast SnapLap Digital Photo Printer

Sony’s latest addition to the SnapLap™ digital photo printer line, model UPC-R20L, offers new business and revenue opportunities for retailers. Its range of features can also extend instant digital photo printing into non-traditional environments such as convenience stores, general merchandise stores, book stores and grocery stores. The new mini-kiosk is a high-speed, affordable system that can print 3.5×5-, 4×6-, 5×7- and 6×8-inch photos, in either glossy or ProMatte™ finishes, using the same media roll. This system is the only instant digital print kiosk available offering a ProMatte finish, which allows retailers to add a more professional look to printed digital photos.

The new kiosk has a large touch-sensitive 10.4-inch (viewable area, measured diagonally) LCD screen that can be flexibly angled for more comfortable operation. It also uses a high-performance, dye-sublimation thermal transfer print mechanism. It offers high-speed print time in a range of sizes, including: eight seconds for 3.5×5- and 4×6-inch prints, 13 seconds for 5×7-inch prints and 15 seconds for 6×8-inch prints.

“This system was designed for maximum profitability while taking up minimal space,” said Belinda Lopresti, marketing manager for Sony’s Digital Photofinishing Group. “It takes advantage of the inexpensive and rapid print processes of traditional terminal-plus-printer systems, without the large initial investment, and its extensive capabilities open the door for digital printing to a wide range of applications.”

For retailers looking to increase the visibility of their digital photofinishing services, the unit’s space-saving design enables several systems to be placed in the same area. When combined with other services such as ATM machines and self-checkout lines, the kiosks help create a high-traffic, in-store destination that can provide an additional revenue stream. In addition, retailers who traditionally found instant digital photo-printing to be cost-prohibitive can now offer it to customers using this type of low-cost, high-return solution.

The addition of wireless “shoot-to-print” capabilities is a perfect fit for event photographers. Using a wireless device server such as the Silex USB adapter, photographers with cameras capable of FTP auto file transfers can send photos directly to the SnapLab system to automatically print. The images can be transferred via a wireless (Wi-Fi) or wired (10/100 Base T) connection and stored in a “HOT” folder on the kiosk. This wireless feature allows event photographers to concentrate on photo shoots instead of print management, significantly streamlining the workflow at event venues by allowing for one-person operation.

Once photos are stored in the HOT folder of the SnapLab system, photographers can choose to either erase images after printing, or to save images after printing. With this option, photographers can re-print saved images on demand as well as add additional features like borders, logos, or customers’ names at a later date.

Retailers can offer customers premium prints, with built-in templates to easily create split images, for example. Adding printed or semi-transparent borders is an easy process, as well as the choice of producing sepia or black-and-white prints. Users can overlay pre-loaded images, event logos and design frames without having to use a PC. Border designs can be created and saved in PNG format, using off-the-shelf image editing software such as Adobe® Photoshop®.  Created borders can then be exported in the desired format with the supplied SnapLab utility software. Data can also be exported directly to a CompactFlash card or imported to a CompactFlash card by using the expansion slot on the front of the printer.

The system accepts most popular digital media and memory cards, as well as USB devices and CD/DVD discs (read-only; CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW). It is equipped with a security cable slot and can be conveniently tethered to deter theft. The kiosk’s printer firmware can be updated via memory card, CD-ROM/DVD-ROM and from a PC via a USB connection. Updates can be easily performed from the administration menu, and firmware updates are available at www.sony.net/products/dp-driver.

The front-loading and auto-loading mechanism of the UPC-R20L system enables easy replacement of paper roll and ribbon. For added security, the ribbon door locks while the power is on.

When the printer is not in operation, the kiosk’s LCD screen can be used to display promotional images and new print offerings such as company logos, new seasonal borders, and price promotions. A maximum of five promotional images can be displayed sequentially. Custom promotional images can be created using photo editing software and preloaded onto a CompactFlash card and inserted into the expansion slot.

The UPC-R20L SnapLab digital photo printing system will be available in October 2008 at a suggested list price of $2,995.

SE’s IDP-100 Digital Photo Frame With Bluetooth

Sony Ericsson has unveiled the IDP-100 Digital Photo Frame, the ideal accessory for a Cyber-Shot phone. Thanks to the easy transfer of photos from not only your Cyber-Shot but also regular cameras, budding photographers can display their best shots accordingly. Transfer your favourite images in a variety of ways, via Bluetooth, USB flash memory, M2 card, micro SD, SD or MS Duo, to ensure that nothing is left unseen. With a sleek dark grey finish, which adds style to any surrounding, this stylish 7” photo frame will let you display photos in either landscape or portrait format and can be mounted on a wall or sat on a bedside table or office desk.

“Memories are priceless and irreplaceable” said Jacob Sten, Head of the accessories division at Sony Ericsson. “The IDP-100 Digital Photo Frame is the perfect companion to your Cyber-shot™ phone and lets you display your favourite moments easily and in high quality for all to see. However, it’s not just mobile phone users that can benefit from the IDP-100. We are proud that the frame receives, stores and displays up to 500 still images through a variety of options. Once uploaded they are automatically rotated, enhanced and re-sized to fit the frame – so that you can enjoy your memories instantly.”

The IDP-100 sits perfectly with the C905 Cyber-shot™ phone. The first phone to offer an 8.1 megapixel camera now has the ideal accessory that will help you show off your high quality images in all their glory. The photos can be displayed and managed with the touch sensitive control menu in the frame, just view the slideshow options and pick your personal preference. In addition, the Digital Image Correction™ (DIC), included with the IDP-100 will ensure the photos are displayed to perfection as it automatically adjusts your images – this includes colour correction, tone enhancement and even edge enhancement.

The IDP-100 is compatible with all phones featuring M2 card, micro SD, SD and MS Duo, USB interface or Bluetooth™. It will be available in selected markets in Q4 in dark grey.

Key features as stated in press release:

• 7” WVGA screen – the way they were meant to be seen
• Auto-rotation – no need to format your pictures the frame does it for you!
• Screen quality – brilliant and vivid colours
• Inbuilt Bluetooth™ – Bluetooth™ your images effortlessly
• M2 Memory Stick™ and USB compatible – versatile ways to download your images
• Store up to 500 images on the internal memory
• Active touch control on the frame– remotes are things of the past
• World clock – three time zones so you can set which time of the day it turns on or off

Other stats:

• Aspect ratio: 4:3 or 16:9
• Viewing angle: 140º (H)/140º (V)
• Lifetime: to 50 per cent brightness: 10,000hr
• Brightness: 200cd/m2
• Panel resolution: 800 x 480 (WVGA)
• Contrast ratio: 400:1
• Connectivity: USB 2.0
• Built in memory capacity: 128MB
• Weight: 320g for media product without stand
• Dimensions: W205 X H145 X D25

Sony’s First Full Frame DSLR A900 Unleashed

Today Sony announced its official release of Sony’s new evolution of Alpha series – DSLR-A900. We have seen it’s coming as news leaked and spy pics showed up from time to time on the net. Here is your chance to get close to the pictures that we were all used to take 10-15 years ago with 35 mm film. The only thing is this camera is a bit hefty but it sure is worth of the detail and uniqueness the engineers put into it. As reviews of this camera start flooding the net, we’ll see what it deserves in our grade book.

Some details:

• Superlative, detail-packed images from full-frame 24.6 effective megapixel CMOS sensor Exmor
• Bright optical glass pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage
• Enhanced SteadyShot INSIDE offers up to 4.0 steps anti-shake performance with alpha lenses
• Ultra-sharp shooting responses and flawless, low-noise images from dual BIONZ image processor
• Review images on High Resolution 3.0-inch Xtra Fine LCD
• Fast, high-accuracy 9-point AF with 10 focus assist points
• 5fps continuous shooting at full resolution 24.6 megapixels

CNet has gotten its hands on this “baby” already (review):

Feel free to dig into the press releases and learn more about its wonders: US Press Release / EU Press Release

Premium lenses and a number of accessories will compliment this beast and most likely empty your pockets. Check out more on lenses here.

Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ HX

Be prepared to be introduced to another souped up and recently born into the Memory Stick family – Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ HX. Sony Recording Media & Energy (RME) has created this baby for those space hungry HD camcorders and newest Cybershot digicams. However do not expect a lot in spacewise capability, this HX MS will be presented to you in 4 & 8 Gig capacity (woot? where is our 32 Gigs we so desire to have?). The kick is it has a read speed of 20MB/second (15MB/second write) and to me it seems like I have heard those read/write specs before in the older array of Memory Stick offerings… So just let’s say MS got some facelift and new cosmetics. I think someone at Sony Recording Media has been sleeping and needs to wake up to what HD is really dictating nowadays in space consumption needs.

Sony Pumps Out More Digital Frames to Show Off your Pictures

It looks like Sony is on the roll with its introduction of Digital Photo Frames and if they are going to get those out of the door like they do with Cybershot digital cameras, it will be hard to keep up with. Not long ago Sony introduced a bunch of Digital Photo Frames in North America and Japan (DPF-D70, DPF-V700 and 900, by the way now available in several colors like white, red and brown) and today Sony Europe decided to catch up with the rest of the world and introduced a slew of frames (2 to be exact) that will brighten up your flat or house. The major difference from its previous product line is the DPF-D100 boasts a 10.2 inch LCD screen where in the US model DPF-V900 is a 9 inch LCD. However the US frames have more storage 512 MB (not sure if someone who designed the frames is still stuck in the 90s, as most of us need space in GB not MB!) vs 256 MB and there is no mentioning whether the EU Frames have HDMI output and Bluetooth capability.

Check out the full press release here.

I am still hoping Sony US and EU will have a VAIO iteration of a photo frame VGF-CP1 with more interesting capabilities like Wi-Fi and being able to view the current weather and RSS feeds. That model is available in black and white and currently only in Japan. View a video presentation of this frame here (in Japanese).

Sony Beta Tests Digital Darkroom

If you are an avid photographer or someone who is interested in digitized picture taking venture, try the newly developed Sony’s Digital Darkroom – a new photo gallery site of the Backstage 101 community (also run by Sony), where you can practice photography techniques and share your work with others.

The Digital Darkroom allows you to:

• Upload photos into public and personal galleries
• Connect with other members of the Digital Darkroom group
• Show off your photography skills by participating in photo assignments and contests
• Ask Sony and fellow members for photography techniques, tips and tricks in the forums
• Learn more about photography with access to relevant tutorials, videos, articles and courses from Backstage 101
• Enter to win great prizes from Sony