[ PhotoPlusExpo ] [ Kodak EasyShare DX7590 ]
[ Paint Shop Pro 9 / Paint Shop Pro Studio ]
[ Logitech Cordless Desktop MX3100 ] [ CD & DVD Maker 7 ]
[ CityGear Backpack ] [ Universal AC Power Adapter ]
[ Instant VideoMPX ] [ Store ‘n’ Go Pro ]

NE of the most important photo shows in the country is the annual PhotoPlus Expo, showcased last fall at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. Some 235 exhibitors – including Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Hasselblad, Kodak, Epson, Adobe, Hewlett Packard – showcased their hottest digital SLR cameras as well as state-of-the-art printers, scanners, imaging software, lighting equipment and much more, which attracted more than 22,000 visitors. Photo District News (www.pdnonline.com) presented the show, which was superbly produced by VNU Expositions (www.vnuexpo.com). PhotoPlus Expo returns October 20-22, 2005.

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Kodak Makes It
Easy To Share

"

HETHER used in a manual or automatic mode, EasyShare DX7590 ($499) delivers fantastic shots with a press of the shutter button," said Yusuke Kojima, Eastman Kodak general manager of digital camera development, when he introduced the new camera last summer.

The camera offers 5-megapixel resolution with a focal length the equivalent of 38-380mm. You store images in the 32MB internal memory or on optional SD/MMC cards. It takes less than three hours to fully charge the lithium-ion battery.

To prepare photos for emailing or printing, you simply push the red-jeweled "Share" button to tag those pictures.

Use the Kodak EasyShare Camera Dock 6000 to transfer pictures with one touch to your computer. With an optional remote, you can show your pictures on TV.

To print your pictures use the Kodak EasyShare Printer Dock Plus ($199.99). You can make 4x6 inch photos in less than a minute from such digital sources as any PictBridge-enabled cameras, SD/MMC memory cards, mobile phone cameras via wireless transfer and, of course, Kodak EasyShare cameras.

An auto enhance button on the printer will correct underexposed shots. You can also connect the Printer Dock Plus to a computer to print pictures stored on a hard drive. Included is a starter pack of 10 photo papers. Refill packs of 40-count costs $24.99.

You can go a step further and share your memories by producing an Ofoto Photo Book at www.ofoto.com. Add text to each photo, create a dedication page and write a personal story. Prices begin at $29.99 for a 20-page book.

See more product information at www.kodak.com/go/EasyShare.

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Paint Shop For Everyone

HERE are now two versions of Jasc Software’s great photo editing that will satisfy both the professional and the consumer. First the professional version with its high-end image editing. The heavy duty Paint Shop Pro 9 (MSRP $129) now comes with advanced functionality to assist graphic artists and commercial photographers in getting optimum results with their images.

Among the new features are a digital camera noise remover, raw camera image support, fill flash filter, backlighting filter, selective undo, and more. All that is cool for high-end image editing.

For the rest of us, consumer and novice alike, who require simple editing tools to enhance and improve our snapshots, Jasc has come up with its sister software called Paint Shop Pro Studio (MSPR $79). This is a scaled-down version of Big Daddy, minus a few of the professional techniques, which we’ll never miss.

Speaking of ease of use – and we should – Paint Shop Pro Studio is a dream to work with since you’re not faced with a steep learning curve.

You even get an idea book to guide you through various fun projects such as photo restoration.

Paint Shop Pro Studio also includes a free copy of Paint Shop Photo Album 5, Standard Edition (worth $29). This will help you organize, find and share your burgeoning collection of photos. More information at www.jasc.com.

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Unshackle Your Energy

OING cordless is the most efficient way to work with your computer. The best means to achieve optimum productivity is with the Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 3100 and the MX 1000 Laser Cordless Mouse. With truly enhanced function keys and multimedia control, this handsome keyboard and mouse combo will make your computer a joy to work with.

Editing photos is made easier when you can scroll vertically and pan horizontally with either hand, and then with a click of a key you can return to your starting magnification. There are many more such one-touch controls to make you more comfortable – and productive.

For instance, with the mere click of a button you can let people know when you’re online or away, tune into your favorite radio station or playlist, rip and burn CDs, and use your left hand to navigate documents and photos (with zoom).

One-button access means you don’t have to move your hands off the keyboard to have instant access to radio presets, instant messenger, and to open stored files or launch office applications.

The cordless mouse rests in a rapid charging base station so it is always ready for use.

Priced at $149.95. More information at www.logitech.com.

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Suite Maker Of DVDs

ITH CD & DVD Maker 7 Titanium Suite you have everything you need to capture video onto your computer from camcorder, webcam or TV tuner card, and then copy your files onto CD and DVD discs.

This suite will backup your files, the wave editor will enhance your sound, and the software will let you play movies on your monitor. Create an exciting slideshow with personalized audio, transitions and special effects.

There’s much this suite can do for you. DVD Fit will compress dual layer movies into single layer size to fit on one disc. Jewel Case Maker will help you design original disc labels.

Priced at $79.99 at www.NTIus.com.

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Love This Backpack

VERSATILE carrier for your laptop and other items for the road is the highly recommended CityGear Chicago Notebook Backpack from Targus. It takes notebooks with screen sizes up to 15.4 inches. There are plenty of pockets to accommodate a CD player, headphones, bottled water, cell phone, PDA, sunglasses – with padding for extra protection.

The front panel has reflective material, the ergonomic shoulder straps are padded, and an internal soft rack helps alleviate stress on your back. Price: $69.99.

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Keep The Power

ARGUS has just the thing to keep your notebook’s power going in case you forgot to bring along its power adapter. With the Mobile 70 Universal AC Power Adapter as the supplement for your notebook, you will have power anywhere, anytime.

You get up to 80 watts of power. It is compatible with notebooks and Tablet PCs from Averatec, Compaq, Dell, Fujitsu, Gateway, HP, IBM, Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba and Winbook. Price: $79.

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Burn Video To Go

OU can take your video with you anywhere you go – with ADS Tech’s new Instant VideoMPX. You can record over two hours of video on a single CD. With the USB 2.0 cable you can capture high quality video to play on your Pocket PC, Palm PDA, portable media player or digital media receiver.

Be sure you have a CD-R drive on your Windows XP computer in order to save video on CDs.

Instant VideoMPX lets your PC compress the video into MPEG-1, DivX video or Windows Media 9 and allows the uncompressed video to flow over the USB 2.0 connection before it is compressed to the format you want. Add video filters, adjust audio levels, add fades, wipes, titles, your own narration.

Included in the package is Ulead VideoStudio 8, a fine video capture and editing application, that helps you do all the above. Price: $80.

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Rest Assured With Verbatim

ERBATIM has a new line of USB flash drives called Store ‘n’ Go Pro. These ultra-sleek devices come in capacities of 256MB, 512MB, 1GB and 2GB with prices ranging from $74.95 to $599.95.

They are plug & play compatible. Connect to a USB port, then drag and drop folders or files. You can store and transport music, photos and videos.

You don’t have to worry about transporting large amounts of confidential data. According to Verbatim business development manager Mark Rogers, "The protected data is encrypted and an anti-tamper feature protects your data even if it’s lost or stolen – unlike a stolen laptop which can be easily compromised."

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