memory

We really liked Canon's first foray into flash-based AVCHD camcorders, the HF10/HF11, and it looks like follow-up models HF20 and HF200 should live up to their legacy. They're smaller--though it's tricky to not jeopardize usability in the shrinkage--and use a new 15X zoom HD lens and a smaller-but-higher-resolution .25-inch 3.89-megapixel CMOS sensor. Each hour of video at the 17Mbps bit rate takes about 7GB of storage or just over 10GB for each hour of 24Mbps video.

Like the higher-end HF S10 and HF S100 , these models integrate the new Digic DV III processor, which the … Read more

In addition to introducing a cheaper model into its standard-definition SD-card-based camcorder lineup, the FS200, Canon is offering updated versions of its FS10/11 models from last year. The FS21 and FS22 will likely offer more aggressive pricing and definitely sport more compact bodies than their predecessors. Though they both use the same 1.07-megapixel CCD and 48X Advanced Zoom lens, each offers another 8GB built-in memory--16GB in the FS21 and 32GB for the FS22. The latter also includes a wireless remote.

New features that Canon introduces include Video Snapshots, 4 second clips used to create a "highlights reel&… Read more

Canon brings its flash-memory-based entry-level down a notch, introducing the FS200: an SD-based version of the ZR960 and DC410. Yes, it's designed differently, but it incorporates the same 680,000-pixel CCD and 41x Advanced Zoom lens as those two models. Plus, it incorporates a mic and headphone jack which makes models like these attractive to the education market. You can get it in blue, silver, or red.

Price and availability are still TBD.

Many companies turn out SD-based camcorders in compact designs, simply because the flash-based technologies allow for much smaller models than those based on tape, hard disks and mini DVDs. While Canon will continue to offer compact AVCHD models in 2009, the HF20 and HF200, the company's branches out with slightly more "pro" prosumer offerings in the Vixia HF S10 and Vixia HF S100. These two models feature a larger, fast f1.6 10X HD lens and a relatively large, high-resolution 1/1.26-inch 8-megapixel CMOS sensor, along with higher-end capabilities, such as SMPTE color bars, the ability … Read more

Updated at 7:15 p.m. PST with additional information from earnings conference call.

Memory chipmaker Micron Technology posted its eighth-straight loss as it was hit by a steep drop-off in chip prices caused by global oversupply.

In the quarter ended December 4, 2008, the Boise, Idaho company posted a net loss of $706 million or 91 cents per diluted share, on net sales of $1.4 billion, down 8.7 percent. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg had forecast a loss of 45 cents a share.

The 2009 fiscal first quarter results include a $369 million write-down of memory chip products, … Read more

Bad news for Hynix is translating into good news for the memory chip industry.

The world's second largest memory chipmaker will close its U.S. plant and slash production 30 percent, bringing relief to an industry plagued by glut.

This comes in the wake of a 30 percent cut in flash chip production at Toshiba and SanDisk announced Monday.

As part of this reduction in output, Hynix is expected to sell its U.S. production unit before the end of the year, according to a Reuters report citing a story in the Seoul Economic Daily on Thursday.

All of … Read more