SANTA CLARA, Calif., January 5, 2017 -- Ambarella, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMBA), a leading developer of low-power, HD and Ultra HD video processing semiconductors, today introduced the H22 System-on-Chip (SoC) targeting a new generation of 4K drones and sports cameras with leading-edge video features.

The new H22 SoC is capable of encoding 4K Ultra HD video at 60 frames per second using the H.265 (HEVC) or H.264 (AVC) video formats, and supports advanced Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) up to 4K resolution. The on-board 1.2 GHz Quad-Core ARM® Cortex®-A53 CPU provides significant processing power for customer applications including flying camera flight control, advanced analytics, video stitching and wireless networking. Fabricated in 14nm process technology, the H22 offers very low power consumption, enabling 4K cameras with small form factors and extended battery life.

“The H22 brings 4Kp60 Ultra HD video at extremely low power into the mainstream,” said Chris Day, VP of marketing and business development at Ambarella. “With 4K HDR, 4K EIS, and a quad-core CPU, the H22 enables a new generation of drones and sports cameras with outstanding video quality and extended battery life.”

The H22 includes a highly optimized image processing pipeline with excellent imaging and advanced noise reduction, and a hardware de-warp engine to support wide-angle panoramic designs with minimal distortion. The device’s 4K EIS can augment or potentially eliminate the need for a mechanical gimbal in a drone. The ability to encode at high frame rates, including 4Kp60 and 1080p120, delivers smooth slow motion, high definition video even during fast action shots.

A typical use case for the H22 in a drone might be to simultaneously encode 4K Ultra HD video, stabilize it in real time using EIS, and execute flight control algorithms using input from an array of sensors including an optical flow sensor. Additionally, a second, low-delay, Full-HD live video stream may be processed, encoded and wirelessly transmitted to the pilot for monitoring and camera control

Ambarella, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMBA), a leading developer of low-power, HD and Ultra HD video processing semiconductors, today introduced the H3 System-on-Chip (SoC) for high-end drones and a new generation of video cameras, including 360-degree and virtual reality cameras. The H3 video SoC enables 8K Ultra HD H.264/AVC video at 30 frames per second, as well as multiple video streams with equivalent performance, including 360-degree cameras with dual 4KP60 sensor video capture.

8K videos played on large 8K displays provide a better viewing experience to the end user, as pixels at this resolution are indistinguishable to the human eye at any reasonable distance. The combination of 8K video capture together with Ambarella’s advanced oversampling and image stabilization also enables higher video quality 4K video recording.

“With the introduction of H3 we believe we provide the highest video performance and best image quality solution for high-end drones and multi-sensor video cameras,” said Fermi Wang, president and CEO of Ambarella. “H3 delivers 8Kp30 video performance to match the next generation of displays, such as 8K televisions and high resolution head-mounted displays.”

H3 includes a powerful multi-channel ISP for 360 degree video capture and multi-sensor drone applications. Its 10-bit HEVC High Dynamic Range (HDR) video processing handles high contrast and wide color range scenes. It also features Ambarella’s advanced Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), capable of generating a smooth 4Kp60 video output under challenging conditions, including during high winds and with high degrees of rotation. The integration of a quad-core ARM® Cortex®-A53 CPU with floating point and NEON™ provides significant processing power for customer applications including computer vision, wireless networking, and multi-sensor stitching algorithms. The H3’s hardware de-warping engine supports wide-angle panoramic camera designs and fish-eye lenses.

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They are leader of OLED screen manufacturing equipment and specialize on it for last 20 years. Contrary to poor suffering parent they have orders for next 2 years and major clients complain is that they want to order more but can't.

Teruhisa Tsugami, their director , even assured that they are doing all they can to cope with Samsung, LG and Sharp orders

Previously, HDMI Specification Version 2.0b (HDMI 2.0b) only supported HDR (High Dynamic Range) video transport in the SMPTE ST 2084 EOTF (as applied in the media profile commonly known as HDR10), by referencing the CTA861.3 specification. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has recently notified the HDMI Forum of the adoption of a new version of the CTA-861 Specification, CTA-861-G. This new version provides additional support for HDR Video transport by including (among others) an extension to the static metadata signaling to include the HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) EOTF. The HDMI Forum has assessed the applicability of the CTA-861-G Specification to HDMI 2.0b. The HDMI Forum has confirmed that the extension of the static metadata signaling to include HLG can be utilized under the existing HDMI 2.0b Specification. This means that HLG Video Transport functionality may be implemented on HDMI 2.0b compliant devices.

None of present TVs except some Panasonics support HLG and all require either firmware update or will be incompatible always.

Also note that most HDR movies will require upcoming HDMI 2.1 with support of dynamic HDR metadata, so all first wave of TVs can become incompatible.

Today, Nikon Inc., a world leader in digital imaging, has released results from the Nikon Life in 360 national survey, indicating that 90% of Americans believe content they currently watch would be better viewed in fully immersive, 360-degrees, and 92% of Americans are ready to capture and share their own personal experiences using 360 cameras. The study also revealed massive potential for growth in the 360-space, as while only 25% have used a 360-camera, and less than half (49%) are at least somewhat familiar with the technology, nearly three quarters of Americans (72%) are interested in trying out a 360 camera to help share their missions in an exciting new way. On the heels of Nikon’s entry into the 360-degree camera market with the KeyMission 360, Nikon commissioned the Nikon Life in 360 Survey to study awareness and attitudes toward emerging 360 video technology and gain insights into what Americans want to view and capture in 360.

• LV5685 (CAME-TV)
• LV4362 (Lectrosonics)
• LV8384 (Sound Devices)
• LV2582 (Convergent Design)

At $99 permonth, Relonch will lend you a fancy-looking leather-clad Samsung NX camera with a 30mm f/2.0 lens permanently attached and only two buttons exposed: power and shutter. You can’t even see the LCD screen. You carry this camera around with you day-in and day-out, snapping photos that are instantly sent via 4G network to the Relonch servers, where the best of them are edited automatically and sent back to your smartphone the next morning.

Samsung cameras are back :-)

https://relonch.com/

Interview with Carol Hartfree about Panasonic new ultrazoom focusing on new features - such as improved 4K, ND filters, AF and such.

Panasonic on November 28 announced that it has developed LCD panels with a contrast of one million-to-one and display quality equivalent to that of OLED panels. Panasonic will begin sampling in January 2017 and start production of 10- to 100-inch models specifically for use in medical care and automotive displays in the third quarter.

After phasing out from plasma TV panel production in 2013 and LCD TV panel production in 2016, Panasonic no longer has panel products for B2C sales and its only panel production plants in Japan currently only supply panels for B2B applications with a utilization rate of 25%.

With the new panel technology, the company is expected to be able to manufacture using its existing production lines and will be able to avoid costs from investing in new OLED production line.

Hulu’s first batch of 4K includes the company’s lineup original shows and 20 James Bond films.

Wile that’s pretty good news for 007 fanatics, well, it doesn’t do much for everyone else.

I noticed a huge difference with ISO calibration from A7S and X5R (Dji camera). The X5R at 800 ISO is sensitively practically same than A7S at 3200 ISO

This is not the first time I noticed an ISO sensibility difference between cameras. But this is the first time I see a small sensor does as well as a large sensor with less ISO.

If you have an explanation you are welcome !

Intel is preparing a significant round of job cuts across business units this spring, according to multiple sources inside the company familiar with its plans.

The cutbacks will reduce employment in some parts of the business by double-digit percentages, according to Intel insiders, amounting to thousands of job cuts across the company by the end of the year. The planned downsizing could begin soon after Intel reports its first-quarter financial results Tuesday, though sources say timing and specifics remain fluid.

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2016/04/intel_planning_for_thousands_o_1.html

Info from http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=39508

Around $34 now.

https://www.amazon.com/Revesun-Splitter-1080p-Ultra-Definition/dp/B014EZ7266/

For 30fps and below must work good.

It is just small hello to idiots at Netflix.

Dealers warning note.

Samsung Electronics today announced five further enhancements to its shareholder return program.

• For 2016 and 2017, the Company will allocate 50 percent of free cash flow (“FCF”) to shareholder returns, which is at the top of the 30-50 percent range announced in 2015.
• The Company will increase total dividends in 2016 by 30 percent compared with 2015, bringing the annual dividend amount to 4 trillion won. Taking into account the recent share buybacks and cancellations, this will result in a 36 percent rise in 2016 dividends per share, to 28,500 won.
• The remaining portion of 50 percent of FCF after the dividend payouts, plus 0.8 trillion won from 2015, will be used to repurchase shares starting at the end of January 2017. The repurchased shares will be cancelled.
• Samsung Electronics will initiate quarterly dividend payments starting in April 2017.
• The Company will seek to further enhance its capital allocation policy to improve shareholder returns beyond 2017.

https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-electronics-announces-comprehensive-roadmap-to-enhance-long-term-shareholder-value-creation

Principle 1. All big sales are made to bring profit to seller.

This can be four ways:

Way 1. Previous item price had big margin (both for manufacturer and seller), and during sale they agreed to cut it.
Way 2. Sale is totally fake or near it, original price usually being inflated not long before sale (common for some countries).
Way 3. Sale item being catch to make you buy other items, software, accessories or some service you do not need.
Way 4. Using discount make you buy it via credit. Possible due to owners of big retail giant and bank giant being sometimes same.

Principle 2. Most sellers rely on the impulse sales. Where people do not think if they actually need the item they get.

Solution 1. Make the list of things you really need and add to each item the actual price before sale for few big retailers.
Solution 2. Never buy on impulse. Always rely on logic, but also understand that our brain is very clever in finding logical reasons to buy things we don't need.
Solution 3. If you are in offline store, do not put item in basket or plastic bags right away. Make few long circles around shop instead. As if you put it bag or such your monkey brain try to defend the items with any arguments he could find.

To be continued today and up until Monday.

None of even latest generation NVidia and Radeon GPUs or any older Intel CPUs will work for 4K.

Also requires Windows 10 aka Total Horror and Microsoft Edge, browser that no one uses.

To avoid negativity storm Netflix even did not release any official PR.

Samsung Electronics’ System LSI business division is largely divided into four segments; system on chip (SoC) team which develops mobile APs, LSI development team, which designs display driver chips and camera sensors, foundry business team and support team. According to many officials in the industry, Samsung Electronics is now considering forming the fabless division by uniting the SoC and LSI development teams and separating from the foundry business."

Samsung is in talks with Lenovo to sell all computer department that still makes notebooks for some markets.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/nov/24/black-friday-shopping-lies-consumerist-hell

Samsung Electronics and Harman International Industries, Incorporated today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Samsung will acquire HARMAN for $112.00 per share in cash, or total equity value of approximately $8.0 billion. Upon closing, the transaction will immediately give Samsung a significant presence in the large and rapidly growing market for connected technologies, particularly automotive electronics, which has been a strategic priority for Samsung, and is expected to grow to more than $100 billion by 2025¹ . HARMAN is the market leader in connected car solutions, with more than 30 million vehicles currently equipped with its connected car and audio systems, including embedded infotainment, telematics, connected safety and security. Approximately 65% of HARMAN’s $7.0 billion of reported sales during the 12 months ended September 30, 2016 are automotive-related, and its order backlog for this market at June 30, 2016 was approximately $24 billion.

https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-electronics-to-acquire-harman-accelerating-growth-in-automotive-and-connected-technologies

Harman brands:

• AKG Acoustics - microphone/headphones
• AMX - video switching and control devices
• Bang & Olufsen Automotive
• Becker - car infotainment
• BSS Audio - signal processing
• Crown International - pro amplifiers
• dbx Professional Products - signal processors
• DigiTech - guitar products
• HardWire - guitar pedals
• HiQnet - audio digital network, based on Ethernet
• harman/kardon - home/car audio
• Infinity - home/car speakers
• JBL - home/car speakers & amplifiers, professional speakers
• Lexicon - digital processing
• Mark Levinson Audio Systems - home/car audio
• Martin Professional - stage and architectural lighting and effects fixtures
• Revel - home speakers
• Selenium - home, car and professional speakers, amplifiers, sound tables/mixers
• Soundcraft - mixing consoles
• Studer - mixing consoles

CMOSIS a member of the ams AG (SIX: AMS) group, a leading provider of high performance sensors and analog ICs, today launched the CMV50000, an industry first global shutter CMOS image sensor offering high resolution of 48Mpixels, more than twice the resolution of its previous generation CMOSIS global shutter CMOS image sensors.

The CMV50000 is a medium format 48Mpixels sensor with 7920 x 6002 4.6-µm sized pixels using the patented 8-transistor pixel architecture to offer low noise and excellent electronic shutter efficiency. Global shutter operation means, that images of fast-moving objects can be captured without distortion.

Its pixel offers 64dB optical dynamic range at full resolution and up to 68dB in subsampled 4k mode, and the imagers benefits from the implementation of sophisticated new, on-chip noise-reduction circuitry such as black level clamping to enable it to capture high quality images under low-light conditions

Operating at a fast 30 frames/s with 12 bit pixel depth at full resolution or a binned 4k mode, and at up to 60 frames/s with pixel subsampling to 4k resolution, the sensor is suitable for use in high-speed machine-vision systems, as well as in TV broadcasting and video cameras.

The CMV50000 provides detailed views of a large surface area required in factory automation applications such as automated optical inspection (AOI) systems and systems for the inspection of displays of mobile phones, tablets, laptops and TVs. The combination of high frame rate and high re-solution allows further increase of the already high throughput rates at consumer product assembly plants.

A High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode is supported by an odd/even row dual-exposure operation.

The CMV50000 is expected to replace high pixel-count charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensors used in machine-vision cameras and high-end security cameras. Compared to the older CCD sensor technology, CMOS image sensors are easier to integrate in camera designs, use less power, and can operate at much higher frame rates.

“The introduction of the 48Mpixel CMV50000 gives camera manufacturers the opportunity to enjoy the design and operating advantages of a CMOS image sensor while gaining the ultra-high resolution, which has previously only been available through the use of CCD sensors”, said Wim Wuyts, Marketing Manager for image sensors at ams.

“The CMV50000’s advanced noise-reduction features such as black level clamping combined with its high optical dynamic range, results in high picture quality at full operation speed without the need for complex analog output matching required for multi-tap CCD image sensors and therefore also decreases the camera development time significantly.”

The monochrome version of the CMV50000 is sampling now. The color version will be available for sampling by the end of 2016. Unit pricing is €3,450.

I've never been their before. I've decided today that I should go. It's like a mini NAB. I did go to the one in Las Vegas in 2014. The one in New York is obviously far closer to Massachusetts. I'm just going for a day and the round trip bus from Boston to New York and back ended up being $18. Not too bad unlike Las Vegas in which I had to pay for the airfare and hotel.

Anyway, like NAB in Las Vegas, you can also get into it for free if you know where to find a code. That's fine if you just want to see the exhibits. You do have to pay for the workshops.

I decided to post this here in case anyone else might have an interest in checking it out.

Sony had few meetings where they decided to postpone production and announcements. They also decided to spend more on marketing instead of design and engineering and punish big gray sellers.
It is expected that margins I new generation will rise from 15 to 30% compared to previous generation.

October 27 is the birthday of Panasonic digital camera brand "LUMIX". On this day in 2001 the first LUMIX cameras - "LUMIX LC5" and "LUMIX F7" had been released.

http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1026864.html

Panasonic today struggle to survive on rapidly falling camera market.
Depending on cameras division sales we can even see some organization changes and even Lumix brand abandonment in 2017.

Canon researchers work on high-resolution, large-format CMOS imaging technology for use in high-performance cameras large enough to take photographs and videos at ultra-high-definition resolution.

Most CMOS imagers use a rolling shutter, which captures an image at slightly different times at different areas of the imager. This can lead to image artifacts, especially for moving targets, because the image is taken while the subject is in different positions in the field. Imagers with global shutters capture light from each pixel in the imager at the same time, eliminating these artifacts. However, a global shutter usually leads to less dynamic range and higher noise and dark current, and thus to inferior photographs.

The Canon researchers developed a new architecture that enables the readouts of multiple pixels to be accumulated and stored in memory, and then processed all at once. This technique enabled the implementation of a global shutter while also delivering excellent noise and dark current performance and high dynamic range (92dB at a standard 30fps frame rate).

The images of a vibrating ukulele were taken at the same shutter speed (1/5000 sec.). In the global shutter mode (a) distortion is successfully suppressed, while (b) shows distortion from a rolling shutter. The bottom images show the difference between (a) quadruple charge accumulation with the global shutter and (b) single charge accumulation, both at a 1/90 sec. shutter speed.

Via http://www.btbmarketing.com/iedm/

Sony Corporation ("Sony") has decided to establish Sony Imaging Products & Solutions Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary that will be responsible for its imaging products and solutions businesses. All functions currently held within the Imaging Products & Solutions Sector within Sony, including the functions related to the consumer camera business, solutions business with a focus on broadcast- and professional-use products, and medical business, will be transferred to the new company. Sony Imaging Products & Solutions Inc. will aim to commence its operations on April 1, 2017. Shigeki Ishizuka, currently Corporate Executive Officer in charge of the imaging products and solutions businesses at Sony, is expected to be appointed President and Representative Director of this new company.

As part of its mid-term corporate strategy announced on February 18, 2015, Sony outlined its intention to sequentially split out the business units within Sony to form new subsidiary companies. The aim of these measures is to ensure clearly attributable accountability and responsibility from the perspective of shareholders, management policies with an emphasis on sustainable profit generation, acceleration of decision-making processes and reinforcement of business competitiveness. The establishment of Sony Imaging Products & Solutions Inc. forms part of this strategy, and upon completion of the transfer, all major businesses of Sony group will be operated by its subsidiary companies.

Yet, catchy title, I know. But logically correct.

Small video showing their drone, remote controlled gimbal and various new plastic VR rigs.