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PRODUCT SHOWCASE
It’s a Sony . . . but it’s a different!
Sony Australia have released
the first digital video Handycam
cam-corder which not only records
full-motion video but also “mega-pixel” still images. In other words, Sony’s DCR-PC100 combines the best of
both worlds in video and still cameras
into one compact unit.
The camera uses the mini DV cassette format and, even more importantly, Sony’s “Memory Stick” flash
memory (see below).
On the video side, the camcorder
delivers up to 520 lines of resolution,
while in still mode it captures images
at up to 1152 x 864 pixels – more than
three times other digital camcorders.
And this is in a lightweight (550g)
unit which measures just 61 x 127
x 123mm.
A 10x optical and 120x digital zoom
is built in, with the precision optics
sporting the Carl Zeiss brand name.
It’s already suitable for digital TV with
a 16:9 (wide-screen) recording format.
The camera can record in total
darkness (0 lux) with its inbuilt infra-red mode. Eight different picture
effects are also available, including
black and white, sepia, negative art,
solarisation, pastel, slim, stretch and
mosaic.
Digital options include Old Movie,
Luminance Key, Flash Motion, Still,
Slow Shutter and Trail modes. Still
pictures and video can be combined
in a variety of Chroma Key modes.
Analog and video inputs are provided, so the user can convert their
libraries of analog videotapes to digital, regardless of format. And digital
tapes can be easily edited via a PC.
Included is a 2.5-inch LCD colour
screen (of 200,000 pixels) for whatyou-see-is-what-you-record realism.
The screen can rotate up to 270°, even
allowing the user to video themselves
while watching the screen.
Supplied with a Windows-compatible photo manipulation and cataloguing program called PictureGear Lite, a
wide variety of applications are possi-
ble – everything from
near-broadcast-quality video to still pictures for the ’net.
Mind you, this
doesn’t come particularly cheap. The
list price for the DSCPC100 Handycam
with a 4MB Memory Stick is almost
$4600. Then again,
quality single-frame
mega-pixel cameras
are still in the $1000$2000 range so to
get an outstanding
quality digital video
thrown in, the value
is certainly there.
Memory Stick
If the release of the
DCR-PC100 wasn’t
news enough, Sony also announced
a 64MB capacity “Memory Stick”
media to bolster its range of 4, 8, 16
and 32MB sticks.
Sony believes the memory stick
will become the standard flash-storage media of the future, especially
with even larger capacities planned
– 256MB by 2001.
As it is, the 64MB stick can hold
more than three hundred mega-pixel
(1152 x 864) images in super fine, fine
or standard modes.
The memory stick is designed to
link and transfer information between
The 64MB variant of
Sony's “Memory Stick” flash memory,
shown close to actual size. 256MB
versions are planned by 2001!
a wide variety of audio, video and
computer products. It is flash media,
giving it high storage capacity but in
an ultra-compact design.
The durable stick memory case
measures just 21.5 x 50 x 2.8mm and
weighs just 4g. Read speed is up to
2.45MB/second while write speed is
up to 1.5MB/second.
Already the memory stick concept
has been backed by a number of other major consumer electronics and
computer manufacturers.
Transferring data recorded on
a memory stick to a PC is simple:
Sony have an adapter which fits any
standard 3.5-inch floppy disk slot.
This disk drive reads the data from
the memory stick adapter as if it were
a disk. A parallel port adapter is also
available.
Memory Sticks sell for around $240
(32MB capacity) up to $429 (64MB),
while the floppy disk drive adapter
lists for $239.
For more information, contact Sony
Consumer Information Centre on (02)
9879 9712, or www.world.sony.com
January 2000 53
Marantz “Century Design” range
for new century
Jamo Australia have introduced
the new “Century Design” range from
Marantz to coincide with the turn of
the century.
The CD6000 OSE CD player (pictured above) is part of this range which
also includes four other CD players
(two multi-CD), a new integrated amplifier offering optional Class A mode,
two new tuners and a twin tape deck.
The CD6000 OSE recently gained 5
stars in the “What Hi Fi” (UK) awards.
Coming early this year will be the
new DR-600 CD-recorder and DR-6050
dual-drive CD player/recorder.
An even higher spec range, the
Marantz “Premium Series”, has also
been introduced for those who want
the very best in audio performance
and reproduction.
New AV equipment is also being
introduced.
For more information, visit better
hifi dealers or contact Jamo Australia,
PO Box 350, Mt Waverley, Vic 3149,
phone (03) 9543 1522; email info<at>
jamo.com.au The Marantz website is
www.marantz.com.au
Let Jaycar shed some
light on the subject . . .
If your eyesight isn’t
what it used
to be – or perhaps if you
don’t want it
to go that way
– Jaycar Electronics stores
have a magnifying worklamp which
should be of interest.
It’s fitted with a 22 watt fluoro lamp
and a large 3-dioptre lens which gives
a superbly clear enlarged image for
you to work by. The base can clamp
to a workbench up to 45mm thick and
it has a double-hinged extension arm
that opens out to 990mm. It’s perfect
for the hobbyist, technician or even
production and assembly lines.
Price is $125 from all Jaycar Electronics stores.
Remote Power Control Via The Internet
If you need to switch devices
on and off from a remote location,
this Remote Power On/Off Control
Kit from MicroGram could be the
answer. It lets you log onto the
Internet and switch up to eight
appliances via a central server.
It might not be the complete answer to a “smart
house” but this device is at
least a step in the right direction. Let’s face it, you’re
not really going to use it to
start a coffee percola
tor,
although undoubtedly it
could be used to do this.
Instead, it’s more likely to
be used for more serious
purposes, such as switching security lights and burglar alarms, or switching
computers on or off from
a remote location.
Other possible uses include controlling air-conditioning, transmitters and pumps, industrial process
control and switching security
monitoring equipment.
What’s in the box? Well, you get
a PCI “industrial” card (this plugs
into a spare PCI slot on the server’s
motherboard), a power control box
and a 2-metre long cable to connect
54 Silicon Chip
the two together. The cable has eight
separate outputs (all BNC con-nec
tors), which means that you can connect up to eight separate power control
boxes. Each control box is capable of
switching 240V at up to 10A.
Also included in the package is the
necessary software, supplied on a CD
ROM. This includes the device driver
for the card (Windows 95/98/NT) plus
the application software to provide the
switching function. Also included on
the disk is the Visual Basic source code
for both the server and client, so that
you can develop your own application
software.
The software can be configured
so that the server (ie, the PC with
the controller) can register its IP
address to an Inter
net Location
Server (ILS). Client computers at
remote locations can then query
the ILS when they log on to obtain
this IP address.
What this means in practice is that a user at a remote
location only needs to know
the server’s email address.
The ILS then returns the
server’s IP address so that the
client can access the server,
to switch devices on and off.
Of course, this is only
necessary where the server
is dynamically assigned IP
addresses by an Internet Service Provider; the ILS service
isn’t necessary if the server
has a fixed IP address.
The Remote Power Control
Kit (Cat. 17064), including one
power control box, costs $579.00
(incl. tax) and is available from
Microgram Computers, Unit 1, 14
Bon Mace Close, Berkeley Vale,
NSW 2261. Phone (02) 4389 8444;
email info<at>mgram.com.au; website www.mgram.com.au Additional power control boxes are also
available if required for $259 each.
Central Coast
Field Day
“The Biggest Field Day & Hamfest in the Southern Hemisphere”:
that’s how the Central Coast Field
Day is described. And with a huge
range of attractions for amateurs
and electronics hobbyists, it’s hard
to disagree.
Held on the last Sunday of
February each year at the Wyong
Racecourse (about 1 hour north of
Sydney), the field day has a reputation as a bargain-hunter’s paradise
with loads of pre-loved equipment
in the flea market plus importers
and distributors keen to dispose of
superseded models (and to show
off and sell their latest!).
There are also many demonstrations, lectures, seminars and
workshops during the day.
Entry to the Field Day is $10 for
adults, concession $5 and children
under 12 free. Parking is free and
food and drink is available at the
venue. Gates open at 8.30am.
For futher information contact
the Central Coast Amateur Radio
Club, PO Box 346, Woy Woy NSW
2256, phone (02) 4340 2500, email
bobfitz<at>ozemail.com.au, website
www.ccarg.org.au
TOROIDAL POWER
TRANSFORMERS
Manufactured in Australia
Comprehensive data available
Harbuch Electronics Pty Ltd
9/40 Leighton Pl. HORNSBY 2077
Ph (02) 9476-5854 Fx (02) 9476-3231
Questronix Video Distribution Amplifiers
Two Video Distribution Amplifiers
for the audio-visual, broadcast and film
industries have been released by Sydney-based Quest Electronics Pty Ltd.
The compact, lightweight HC5 amplifiers appear and are functionally identical but one is designed to work from
240V AC and the other from 12-24V DC
(or 9-36V DC in the “HC5C” model).
The units feature a hum-cancelling
input circuit to reduce interference
caused by mains wiring, lighting
dimmers, ground loops, etc, without
impacting on bandwidth. Input is a
standard BNC socket, 1V pk-pk nominal.
Five 1V pk-pk nominal BNC outputs
are provided, each at 75Ω, with gain
New low-cost, high
quality ‘dbx’ equalisers
Jands Electronics, distributors of
dbx, have available the new dbx Series
12 equalisers, the 1215 (retail price
$995) and 1231 (retail price $1395).
Offering 15 2/3-octave and 31 1/3octave bands respectively, the equalisers have a range of features normally
found only in high-end models.
These include 45mm faders, select-able ±6dB or ±15dB boost/cut, a
choice of XLR, barrier strip and 1/4inch TRS connectors for installation
ease, balanced inputs and outputs and
chassis/signal ground lift capabilities.
Contact Jands Electronics Pty Ltd,
phone (02) 9582 0909, fax (02) 9582
0999.
variable via a front panel control from
0dB to +6dB. Cable equalisation is also
adjustable from the front panel.
Hum rejection is better than 46dB at
50Hz and better than 26dB at 1MHz.
The units also have internal links for
75Ω input termination on/off, AC or DC
input coupling and whether the input
shield is floating or grounded.
Both units measure 140 x 122 x
35mm and weigh 650g (AC version) or
430g (DC version). A 240V plugpack
supply is included with the DC version.
For more information, contact Quest
Electronics at PO Box 548, Wahroonga
NSW 2076, phone (02) 9477 3596, fax
(02) 9477 3681, or via their website at
www.questronix.com.au
Get your components from an online store
A new Australian on-line electronic component store has been
launched with more than 650 pages
of electronic kits, components and
equipment available.
Ballarat-based Wiltronics Research Pty Ltd is an Australian-owned and operated company
which has been in the wholesale
component business for more than
25 years.
Its new on-line store, www.wiltronics.com.au, is believed to be
the largest regional e-commerce site
in Australia. With its own inbuilt
search engine it is very easy to find
just what you need.
The company plans to add more
than 400 new pages over the next
year. They offer very competitive
prices, with payment made via credit
card to a secure server.
January 2000 55
CTRONICSHOWCASELECT
SURPLUS
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
at CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP PRICES!
ICs, LCD Displays,Transistors,
Diodes, Leds, Books, Connectors,
Switches, Transformers, Fans,
Relays, Speakers,Terminals,
Resistors, Buzzers, Leads, Knobs,
Batteries, Computer Accs. etc.
FOR A FREE MONTHLY MAILER PLEASE CONTACT
ROCOM
ELECTRONICS
STORE ADDRESS: 56 RENVER ROAD, CLAYTON VIC. 3168
POSTAL ADDRESS: BAG 620 CLAYTON SOUTH, VIC. 3169
PH (03) 9543 7877 FAX (03) 9543 4871
Email: sales<at>rocom.com.au
Attention speaker builders and professionals
World famous
loudspeaker drivers make a return to the Australian Market.
Call for information, data sheets, kit plans and free advice. Trade and OEM Enquiries welcome.
Stock available mid December. Quantity discounts apply.
Model
RRP Introductory special
Peerless 811827 dome tweeter, wide angle $69
$59
Peerless 811978 dome tweeter, shielded $89
$74
Peerless 810665 dome tweeter, rectangular
$99
$85
Peerless 850122 woofer 6.5” CSX hi-end $135
$105
Peerless 831709 woofer 8” thick PP cone $125
$95
Peerless 831727 subwoofer, 10” thick PP cone $165
$135
Peerless 850146 subwoofer, 10” CSX hi-end
$189
$160
ALSO STOCKING THE MOST
COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF
REPLACEMENT SPEAKER FOAM
SURROUNDS and parts including factory surrounds for Dynaudio, Tannoy, JBL, Scan-Speak,
Cerwin-Vega and others.
PHONE: (03) 9646 5115 FAX: (03) 9646 1574
POST: P.O Box 63 Port Melbourne VIC 3207
EMAIL: ortofon<at>labyrinth.net.au
Ultra DMA 66 Card
EMC Technologies' internationally
recognised Electromagnetic
Compatibility (EMC) test facilities are fully
accredited for emissions, immunity and
safety standards.
EMC Technologies
Melbourne: (03) 9335 3333
Sydney: (02) 9899 4599
BUSINESS FOR SALE:
Escape to the sun in beautiful Coffs Harbour!
• Stable electronic retail business
• Easily run by husband and wife team.
• Agent for GSM carrier
• Access to large electronics suppliers (niche market).
• Very strong customer base inc Government depts
and schools etc.
• Five year rental option on current highway premises.
• Full figures available.
• Current owners (12 years) are moving to a new
business.
84 S
ilicon
• Price only
$55,000C+hip
SAV.
Enquiries: phone (02) 6652 5684 or fax (02) 6651 3731
Got a new Ultra DMA 66 hard disk drive
but your motherboard is at least 3 years old?
Get the most out of your new hard drive by
installing an Ultra-DMA 66 add-in card along
with your new hard drive.
Vamtest Pty Ltd trading as Microgram Computers A.C.N. 003 062 100
Web site:
Email:
www.mgram.com.au
info<at>mgram.com.au
Cat. 2809
HDD Cont. PCI IDE Ultra DMA 66
Check
our web
site
Cat. 9109
$129
HD Ribbon Cable IDE
Ultra DMA 66
$15
Unit 1, 14 Bon Mace Close
Berkeley Vale NSW 2261
Phone: (02) 4389 8444 Fax: (02) 4389 8388
TRONICSHOWCASELECTRO
MicroZed Computers
GENUINE STAMP PRODUCTS
FROM
Scott Edwards Electronics
microEngineering Labs & others
Easy to learn, easy to use, sophisticated
CPU based controllers & peripherals.
PO Box 634, ARMIDALE 2350
(296 Cook’s Rd)
Ph (02) 6772 2777 – may time out to
Mobile 0409 036 775 Fax (02) 6772 8987
http://www.microzed.com.au
3990
Now you can afford the legendary clarity,
transparency, depth and precision of an
electrostatic speaker.
The new Vass ELS-5 is a full range electrostatic speaker, able to faithfully reproduce
frequencies from 40Hz-20kHz.
• 5 Year Warranty
• Wide range of custom finishes.
• Individually hand built & tested.
1/42-44 Garden Bvde, Dingley 3172
Pyramid subwoofer Ph 03 9558 0970 Fax 03 9558 0082
separately available
email: vass<at>hotkey.net.au
R.T.N
• Basic Stamps, SX chips and tools.
• OZ-made boards and development tools
• Best pricing on temp, a/d, rtc kits
• New Xilinx PLCC44 development system
• New OZ made serial LCD module 2*16
• Stepper and R/C servo motor chips
• New super catalog on CD Rom with 40 meg of
Stamp related data. Now available via SAE and
our cost $4.50, or free with orders over $125
Phone/Fax 03-9338-3306
http://people.enternet.com.au/~nollet
Email: nollet<at>mail.enternet.com.au
NEW FROM
QUESTRONIX
DVS5 Video & Audio
Distribution Amplifier
Linx RF modules from Clarke & Severn
Electronics offer a simple, efficient and
cost-effective method of making a product
wireless. Want to know more? Contact
CLARKE & SEVERN ELECTRONICS
PO Box 1, Hornsby NSW 1630
Ph (02) 9482 1944 Fx 9482 1309
email: sales<at>clarke.com.au www.clarke.com.au
Most Credit Cards OK
FULL RANGE
$
ELECTROSTATIC
UNIVERSAL
WIRELESS
DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM
DVS5
Video & Audio
Distribution
Amplifier
VGS2
Graphics
Splitter
Five identical Video and Stereo
outputs plus h/phone & monitor
out. S-Video & Composite versions
available. Professional quality.
VGS2 Graphics Splitter
High resolution 1in/2out VGA
splitter. Comes with 1.5m
HQ cable and 12V supply.
Custom-length HQ VGA
cables also available.
Check our NEW website for latest prices and
MONTHLY SPECIALS
www.questronix.com.au
Email - questav<at>questronix.com.au
Video Processors, Colour Correctors, Stabilisers, TBC's, Converters, etc.
QUESTRONIX
All mail: PO Box 548, Wahroonga NSW 2076
Ph (02) 9477 3596 Fax (02) 9477 3681
Visitors by appointment only
Do you want
YOUR product or service
showcased to
Australasia's
most important
electronics
marketplace?
CALL ME: RICK WINKLER
on (02) 9979 5644
and let me explain how cost effective
the SILICON CHIP ELECTRONICS
SHOWCASE can be for YOU!
January 2000 85
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