Author: Peter Suciu

Panasonic Unveils FULL HD 3D Theatre for Olympics

If you’re lucky enough to be at the Olympic Games in Vancouver do you really want to check out TV? Actually, maybe you do, at least if its Panasonic’s Full HD 3D Theatre, which will show off the company’s new HDTVs. So if you’re in Vancouver, but can’t see the opening ceremonies or other events, head over to one of the two Panasonic theatres at David Lam Park, which will be showcasing the Opening Ceremony, as well as highlights of the 2010 Winter Games including the video of Sarah Brightman performing Panasonic’s song, “Shall be Done.”

The Panasonic sets will be released later this year, and available in 50-inch, 54-inch, 58-inch and a massive 65-inch screen sizes. These reproduced images alternately at 60 frames per second for each eye for a total of 120 frames per second. To experience this users do need the viewer to wear high-precision 3D eyewear with shutters driven in synchronization with the video, but viewers are treated to separate 1920×1080 full-HD images. So even if you can’t make it to Vancouver, you’ll be able to feel like you’re in London for the next Summer Olympics in 2012.

Let the High Tech Games Begin

The Olympics Games that will kick off this week could just go down in history as the most high tech ever. And while there will be no shortage of space age materials with the clothing, as well as nifty new improvements to the skates, sleds and skis, the real tech boon is in how the games are being delivered to the masses.

Our friends at Cnet.com are reporting that there will be more than 5,000 kilometers of cables, more than 40,000 Ethernet ports, more than 6,000 PCs, more than 3,000 TVs, more than 7,000 two-way radios and more than 7,000 radios used by the organizers to deliver the games. Consider that with the very first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 it took days for results to reach America, and now access to results will be instantaneous. One major change this year is that unlike in past years, all video, data and voice will traverse one IP network set up Atos Origin, Bell Canada and Avaya. To manage all this, the Olympic organizers now even have a full-time CIO on board. Let the games begin, and may the network not go down!

Retro Jerseys Offer Refreshing Style for a New Season of Cycling

As an avid cyclist in New York City, this reporter knows that biking in the Big Apple is as much about fashion as actually training. But seeing one too many Team Astana jerseys (which I expect will be retired to never see the light of day again), not to mention a decade or more of “world champions” doing a slow lap in Central Park, it is refreshing to see Retro’s newest line. Based on the Horton Collection – the personal treasure trove of cycling related artifacts from Brett Horton, the foremost authority on bicycle racing history – these jerseys are truly “retro” cool. Instead of just mere “team” jerseys for the wannabe rider, these are inspired by hand-selected vintage posters from Brett’s massive collection of vintage cycling memorabilia.

And if old school cycling isn’t quite your thing, but you still want to evoke something unique, Retro also offers numerous eclectic jerseys such as “Bauhaus exhibit” for the lover of 1920’s German modernism, and a Peking Opera poster for the chick who desires to be a dragon lady on two wheels.

Retro Official Web Site

The Horton Collection Web Site

Team Radioshack Cycling Made its Debut; HTC-Columbia Wins First Tour of the Year

Remember the hype last summer; seven times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong announced a new professional cycling team? Well, Team RadioShack Cycling actually made its debut last week in the Santos Tour Down Under, which marks the official start of the pro cycling season. Yes, it is still about six months until July’s Tour de France, but cycling is much more than just the big show through France – and for the record this year’s event will begin in The Netherlands! Cycling can be confusing when nations are considered.

This was the 12 annual Tour Down Under, which ran from January 17 to 24, and it was won by Germany’s Andre Greipel (only the second ride to win this race twice) who races for the American HTC-Columbia team, the most winning team in cycling. HTC by the way is the Taiwanese-based mobile phone company that made the first “Google Android Phone,” the G1 for T-Mobile (itself a German company). HTC has a three year sponsorship deal with owners Team High Road. And actually the HTC-Columbia team had formerly been the T-Mobile Team, but following some scandals we won’t bring up, the team switched nationality from German to American, after T-Mobile dropped its sponsorship! Confused? Maybe this is what makes cycling, and those high-tech sponsors, just all the more interesting to viewers.

And while Armstrong didn’t win, he wasn’t expected to do so. He’s just getting in shape for the big show in France!

Spyder Gives U.S. Ski Team Edge

Even if the American and Canadian Olympic teams fail to bring home gold for their homelands, at least we know they’ll be looking stylish. Both teams will be suited up in polyester – and not like those nasty 1970’s era leisure suits either! These new high-tech, and skin tight ski suits, would just give the wearer a bit of edge.

Let’s just hope this doesn’t result in the same type of controversy that was seen when swimmers used similar suits. But with a host of world records smashed in the pool, and the same expected to happen on the slopes we’re sure these suits will turn heads, and not just from the fashion sense.

What Dartfish Means for Figure Skating

With the Olympic Games just weeks away we know there will be some controversy over how a judge missed something in a figure skating performance. Whilst the same thing happens with gymnastics and diving in the summer games, it is always figure skating where a judge just didn’t see something that potentially could mean the difference on who gets the gold.

This is why the Dartfish technology is worth mentioning. This computer video program can be used to analyze figure skating jumps and spins, helping judges make those extra special decisions. But more importantly this technology’s “SimulCam” and “StroMotion” features offer the advantage of giving skaters and couches the ability to compare performances in a frame-by-frame way that was never previously possible.

The SimulCam offers the ability to compare two different athletes, but over the same terrain, while the StroMotion offers a peek at precise movement, technique, execution and tactics over the same space and time. So instead of going to the tape, judges and fans can now go to the fish!

For motion information: Dartfish Web site

U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team to Catch WAVE

Snowboard teams will be using WAVE (Whole-body Advanced Vibration Exercise) technology. While it has the promise of something you’d expect to hear in a late-nite infomercial “by working out on a WAVE platform only 15 minutes a day, three times per week, users will see benefits including strength gains, increased circulation, flexibility,” etc., we say if it is good enough for those hoping for gold in Vancouver it must be good for everyone else!

More importantly, unlike those fly-by-night gimmicks, this technology is actually being used by wellness centers, universities and even in rehabilitation centers as well as fitness studios and spas. Whatever works to win gold and warm up for the big day.

Know Where You Are Going With the GH-561

Getting there they say is half the fun. We say not getting completely lost is the rest of the fun! The GH-561 makes pre-planning your treks all the easier – whether they be around the neighborhood or around the world. This fully sealed, water resistant device offers GPS navigation with route planning, waypoint and GPS positioning. It can be used to locate and track points anywhere you choose to go, and it can be used with Travel Manager software so you can plot out your trip. It is rugged enough for outdoor travel, including climbing and hiking. And best of all, it will save you from ever saying, “where are we?”

Product Page: Globalsat GH-561

Strong Enough for a Job Site, Compact Enough for Travel

If you’re looking for a durable digital camera for your next global trek, consider one that is meant to be used closer to home (or at least for home improvements). The Ryobi TEK4 Durashot is an 8megapixel digital still camera that can features a memo recording feature, which is great for providing a verbal description to your photos, and provides a flash that can light up to 15 feet. It has large buttons that can be used with gloves, and it features easy to use navigation. Best of all it is impact resistant and dust and waterproof, so it is ready for trip to the beach, the mountains or just about anywhere else you care to take it.

Sanyo Introduces Electric Bike

For $2,300 you could buy a very nice carbon fiber road bike, but then you’d have to actually pedal to work – not that we have a problem with that. But if you’re looking to commute on your cycle a good option is the Sanyo CY-SPA600NA Synergetic Hybrid Bicycle, which features a dynamic motor power system to help with hill climbing and lets you go the distance.

More impressively the bike essentially breaks the rules of perpetual motion, by utilizing a loop charging option that recharges the battery while you ride. So while we’d still recommend a road bike or mountain bike for serious riding, we like that someone is talking about electrical technology that takes advantage of human power too!

NXT Tunebug Offers Music 4 UR Melon

Life doesn’t have a soundtrack (which can be good or bad), but if you’d like to add a soundtrack to your activities the Tunebug Shake will help get you started or as the company touts it “Music 4 UR Melon.”

This mini-external sound generator (don’t think of it as just another speaker), mounts to your skate/snowboard or bike helmet. The Tunebug Shake features a 3.5mm audio jack, as well as Bluetooth technology. It runs on a LiPoly battery that can last longer likely than your legs! The Tunebug shake is available now for $119.95.

GoPro Like a Real Pro

What good is doing some daredevil stunt if no one was there to see you do it? So before you try doing something that might risk life or limb, strap on GoPro’s helmet mounted cameras. These high-end wearable cameras from Hero might just make you feel like one – hero that is. There are plenty of similar devices but these seem like the kind that can truly take a lickin’ and keep on filmin’, even if it recording your agony of defeat instead of your moment of glory!

Sennheiser Partners With Adidas

 

What happens when Germany’s Sennheiser, arguably the makers of some of the finest headphones in the world, with German athletic shoemaker Adidas? Well, the result is a new line of headphones that might just make you want to go the distance and then some! Sennheiser is showing the new MX 680 Sports headphones at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

More importantly, unlike many other headsets these have fitness in mind from the Dupont Kevlar reinforced cables to the earphones that have been designed for heavy movement. Best of all these feature a moisture protection system, whether it be rain or just sweat from a serious workout!