I really wish all guys who do it to go to hell.

Sony plans to hire 320 new engineers annually in Japan this year and the next, up from 250 in 2018. The figures do not include those to be hired by overseas units.

The allocation is in line with the company’s plans to invest 600b yen ($5.4b) in image sensor business over the three years through March 2021, or half of the group’s planned capital expenditures.

yet

The company already cut its annual profit outlook for imaging sensors to 130b yen, accounting for just 15% of the Sony Corp.’s overall profit, as they told - due to weakening global demand for smartphones.

It is very risky gamble. As sensors are still very profitable devices due to lack of any real competition. Especially premium smartphone sensors and large full frame sensors where margins can reach 2000%. Such situation became possible due to private cartel agreements where other Japanese companies get sensors under special terms and are allowed to take part in production and customization, forming distributed monopoly.

Healthy competition from outside Japan can put an end to this nice picture, one of the dangers is Samsung that also had been restricted by private agreement thanks to low quality management who agreed to have near time advantages and bonuses other longer term victory, but this can change due to fast fall of Samsung profits in their top smartphone niche. As and if agreement will be broke we will see full scale sensor war that can also bring second breath to consumer camera market as sensors price will drop 3-4 times and much smaller manufacturers will gain access to competitive pricing.

Aliexpress algorithm frequently exclude lot of items from results, usually it is cheapest or close to it offers from small to medium sellers. But can be also items from large sellers.

Filtering depend on your activity - if you buy a lot and not too cheap items Aliexpress will be more actively excluding cheapest offers.

Why they are doing it? Algorithm is optimizing their own income at your expense, and it is quite advanced.

So, if you are searching something make sure to include final step and use google restricting results to aliexpress.com only.

Already compacts teams are reduced to minimum, hence all newly released models are basically all same as old ones.

They can leave one 1" sensor size ultrazoom with 2 year update cycle. And axe all else.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/feb/16/bruno-ganz-actor-who-played-hitler-in-downfall-dies-aged-77

Ganz was Hitler in all the parody videos.

• Site - https://www.ces.tech/Logistics/Registration-Information.aspx
• Coverage - Our joined Main/California Team, Alan And Ramon.
• Note - we are looking for one extra team member still!
• CES 2018 Coverage - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPb_xgpKYgg4MKQE_3gQgMldgdN5hjQNS
• Media Days run January 6 – 7, 2019.
• Exhibits open January 8 – 11, 2019.

Remember to follow Telegram channel at https://t.me/personal_view

Press coverage resources

• https://ces.eetimes.com/
• http://ces.vporoom.com/
• Mobile app - https://www.ces.tech/Logistics/CES-App.aspx

Source - BCNRatings

Adobe is having new record profits, yet management is in full swing to further reduce developers level and expenses.
Adobe has constantly rising percentage of contractors and more and more work is being offshored into cheapest India, Easter Europe and similar firms.
Sometimes for complex tech stuff they can change firm if it offers 10% less contract sum ruining 1-2 years of developers time and starting all other with developers who never even heard about video editor.
Regular staff level also drops each year as new generations of developers come and it not many left who can tech new guys and pull them up, my source told that number of stupid errors that need to be fixed rose around 35% in just 2 years.

P.S. And btw expect new regular payments hike soon, I heard that one of their investors still not happy with their profits and talked about such rise soon.

All forecasts also revised down.

https://www.nikon.com/about/ir/ir_library/result/index.htm#y2019

• Unrivalled global support for creative photographers
• A repair service that travels with you*
• Register now for service updates

25th September 2018 -- Panasonic has announced the launch of LUMIX PRO, a hub for its LUMIX professional users that will provide an extensive support and service network while developing the needs of creative professionals. In recognition of the fact that photographers and videographers require more than just products within their everyday working life, the program has been designed to ensure that they can continue to shoot whilst being assisted with a range of service and repair benefits and consistent global support. LUMIX PRO is an expansion of the Lumix Professional Services program currently running in Japan. LUMIX GH4, GH4R, GH5, GH5s and G9 customers will be able to register for LUMIX PRO services within the US, Germany, UK, France, Italy and Spain*.

Global repair service for high tier members LUMIX PRO has been created with the user in mind and is designed to provide a framework for support of photographers and videographers of all levels of experience. The tiered and modular nature of the program ensures that it is accessible to a broad range of LUMIX users. Recognizing that the creative is as individual as what they shoot, LUMIX PRO has been designed to adapt as their requirements flex. A range of domestic and global maintenance and repair service benefits will be available, including complementary maintenance such as Sensor, EVF or body cleaning or a lens calibration*. Members will also have access to expedited and guaranteed turnaround time, or access to loan equipment when turnaround time cannot be met. Membership levels are allocated depending on the amount of equipment registered and membership fee. Customizable service offerings LUMIX PRO will provide more than just support, aiming to offer its members relevant benefits in conjunction with key photographic eco-system partners. The bundle of services and support within the structure of a multi-tiered program is designed to fit the requirements of the individual photographer. To ensure that they can continue working, photographers that travel will receive the applicable benefits for their level of membership in countries that offer the repair service.

The registration opens in Europe beginning of 2019, when registration opens there will be an initial free of charge registration period. Panasonic will continue to expand LUMIX PRO services into other countries, creating a truly global program that can support photographers when and where they need it most. Visit www.lumix-pro.com to learn more about the program.

• Service conditions and qualifying product may vary per region. Global repair service is available for black and platinum members. Sensor cleaning and other maintenance service is available only for domestic members.

The USB 3.0 Promoter Group today announced the pending release of the USB 3.2 specification, an incremental update that defines multi-lane operation for new USB 3.2 hosts and devices. USB Developer Days 2017 will include detailed technical training covering USB 3.2, fast charging advancements in USB Power Delivery, and other exciting topics.

While USB hosts and devices were originally designed as single-lane solutions, USB TypeC™ cables were designed to support multi-lane operation to ensure a path for scalable performance. New USB 3.2 hosts and devices can now be designed as multi-lane solutions, allowing for up to two lanes of 5 Gbps or two lanes of 10 Gbps operation. This enables platform developers to continue advancing USB products to fit their customers’ needs by effectively doubling the performance across existing cables. For example, a USB 3.2 host connected to a USB 3.2 storage device will now be capable of realizing over 2 GB/sec data transfer performance over an existing USB Type-C™ cable that is certified for SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps.

“When we introduced USB Type-C to the market, we intended to assure that USB Type-C cables and connectors certified for SuperSpeed USB or SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps would, as produced, support higher performance USB as newer generations of USB 3.0 were developed,” said Brad Saunders, USB 3.0 Promoter Group Chairman. “The USB 3.2 update delivers the next level of performance.”

“With increased performance and seamless compatibility, the new USB 3.2 specification brings even more speed and bandwidth benefits to new USB 3.2 devices, while remaining compatible with USB 3.0 and earlier devices,” said Roanne Sones, General Manager, Strategy and Ecosystem for Windows and Devices, Microsoft. “We’re excited to work with our partners in the USB 3.0 Promoter Group to help showcase these benefits to users around the world.”

Key characteristics of the USB 3.2 solution include:

• Two-lane operation using existing USB Type-C™ cables
• Continued use of existing SuperSpeed USB physical layer data rates and encoding techniques
• Minor update to hub specification to address increased performance and assure seamless transitions between single and two-lane operation

For users to obtain the full benefit of this performance increase, a new USB 3.2 host must be used with a new USB 3.2 device and the appropriate certified USB Type-C™ cable. This update is part of the USB performance roadmap and is specifically targeted to developers at this time. Branding and marketing guidelines will be established after the final specification is published. The USB 3.2 specification is now in a final draft review phase with a planned formal release in time for the USB Developer Days North America event in September 2017.

Korean tech-giant Samsung has agreed to acquire Israeli company Corephotonics for $155 million, sources inform "Globes." Three weeks ago, "Globes" was the first to report that Samsung was in advanced talks to buy the Israeli smartphone camera technology developer.

Corephotonics has developed a camera with dual lens technology for smartphones, which is designed to improve the quality of smartphone images. According to IVC, the company, which was founded in 2012, has raised a total of $50 million, which will give the investors a fine return. Corephotonics declined to respond to the report.

Supporting our community of creators is, and has always been, our top priority. As we invest in more tools to help our creators — and continue to be an ad-free service that relies on member support instead of ad revenue — we have to adjust what we offer for free (like storage, which, between transcoding and hosting, is pretty expensive).

This is to let you know that starting January 29, we’re introducing a 5GB total storage limit for Basic members.

Strong rumors are around that they are months from total collapse.

Yet Vimeo can keep running for paid account as a way to sell your videos.

Very interested developments.

As rumors on market are that we can see big sales at Red Hydrogen One and after this it'll go out of the market as no one buys it except few fans.

Vitec Imaging Solutions, a Division of The Vitec Group plc (“Vitec”), a globalprovider of products and solutions to the Broadcast and Photography markets, is pleased to announce that on 23 January 2019 it acquired Syrp Limited (“Syrp”),a New Zealand based slider and motion control company.

Syrp designs and develops motorised camera sliders as well as motion control hardware and software that enables independent content creators to remotely control their camera equipment, allowing for the capture and smooth tracking of shots for video, time-lapse and hyper-lapse imagery.

The acquisition of Syrp adds electronics and software features that control cameras to Vitec’s current product portfolio. Syrp will be integrated into Vitec’sImaging Solutions Division, which will commercialise the brand’s innovativeproduct offering to content creators worldwide. This will facilitate easy access to Syrp sliders and motion controls, as the perfect complements to Manfrotto andGitzo’s tripods and heads.

Founded in 2012 by two skilled videographers, Syrp has been dedicated to empowering independent filmmakers and photographers to explore new creative possibilities in dynamic photography and filmmaking. This commitment isperfectly aligned with Vitec’s purpose to provide innovative solutions for capturing and sharing exceptional content.

Syrp’s brand and products will benefit from Vitec Imaging Solutions globaldistribution network, with its highly efficient customer service, logistics, and integrated shipping capabilities. The brand will also receive the added support ofVitec’s integrated marketing campaigns and social media presence.

With the acquisition of Syrp, Vitec will expand its ability to provide customers with innovative solutions for the creation of exceptional time-lapses and hyper-lapses thus matching the growing demand for engaging digital and social media dynamic content.

Going forward, Syrp’s New Zealand facility will become Vitec’s R&D center of excellence for mechatronic and motion control products.

Bad news.

"Seeds piracy is crime"

http://www.grandespe.com.br/restrito/upload/noticias/163.png

old stuff

Ambarella, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMBA) a leading developer of high-resolution video processing and computer vision semiconductors, today introduced the CV25 camera System-on-Chip (SoC), the latest in the CVflow family, combining advanced image processing, high-resolution video encoding and CVflow computer vision processing in a single, extremely low power design. The CV25’s CVflow architecture provides the Deep Neural Network (DNN) processing required for the next generation of affordable and intelligent home monitoring, professional surveillance, and aftermarket automotive solutions, including smart dash-cameras, Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS), and electronic mirrors.

“CV25 brings computer vision at the edge into the mainstream,” said Fermi Wang, President and CEO of Ambarella. “With this new SoC, we are sharply focused on reducing our customer’s overall system cost for delivery of significant computer vision performance, high-quality image processing and advanced cyber-security features at very low power. CV25-based cameras are capable of performing Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the edge, allowing features like facial recognition to happen in real-time on the device, rather than in the cloud.”

AI applications enabled at the edge include person recognition and the ability to distinguish between pets, persons, and vehicles. In smart video doorbells, CV25 can automatically recognize familiar faces approaching the front door, flag unknown persons, and alert the homeowner when a package is delivered. In driver monitoring systems, it can detect a driver’s drowsiness or level of distraction by monitoring their eyes and facial expressions.

CV25 delivers efficient video encoding in both AVC and HEVC formats with very low bitrates to minimize cloud storage costs. A high-performance Image Signal Processor (ISP) delivers outstanding imaging in low light conditions, and High Dynamic Range (HDR) processing extracts maximum image detail in high-contrast scenes. It includes a full suite of advanced cyber-security features to protect against hacking including secure boot, TrustZone™, and I/O virtualization. Based on 10nm ultra-low power process technology, the CV25 chip is optimized for wire-free camera applications that require long battery life and small form factors.

As part of the CVflow family, the CV25 chip shares a common SDK, Computer Vision (CV) tools, ISP, and cyber-security features with the existing CV22 and CV2 SoCs, allowing multiple price-performance options. Ambarella’s complete set of CV tools helps customers easily port their own neural networks onto CV25. The set includes a compiler, debugger, and support for industry-standard machine learning frameworks such as Caffe™ and TensorFlow™, with extensive guidelines for Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) performance optimizations.

CV25 SoC Key Features:

• CVflow architecture with CNN/deep learning support
• 4Kp30 AVC and HEVC encoding with multi-stream support
• Quad-core 1 GHz Arm®Cortex®-A53 processor with NEON DSP extensions and FPU
• Advanced security features including OTP for secure boot, Trust Zone, and IO virtualization
• Real-time hardware-accelerated 360-degree dewarping and Lens Distortion Correction (LDC)
• Multi-channel ISP with up to 480 MPixels/s input pixel rate
• Multi-exposure HDR and Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) processing, with LED flicker mitigation
• SmartAVC™ and SmartHEVC™ intelligent rate control for lowest bitrates in security applications
• Triple-sensor video input with high-speed SLVS/MIPI CSI-2/LVCMOS interfaces
• Rich set of interfaces includes Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0 host and device, dual SD card controllers with SDXC support, HDMI v2.0, and MIPI DSI/CSI-2 output
• Support for DDR4/LPDDR4/LPDDR4x
• 10nm process technology
• 13x13mm 0.65-pitch BGA

The URL for the related image is https://www.ambarella.com/about/news-events/press-images/CV25-press-image.

CV25 will be demonstrated during CES 2019. To book an appointment for a demonstration, please contact Ambarella.

Canon Europe, a world leader in digital imaging solutions, announces the release of its new camera API package, offering a range of resources to developers. The combined EOS Digital software development kit (SDK) and all-new Camera Control API (CCAPI) create unique opportunities for developers and software engineers to take advantage of select Canon cameras and lenses, launching with the PowerShot SX70 HS.

Many developers have already benefited from Canon SDKs, enabling them to integrate Canon cameras and lenses in their solutions and control them remotely, wired via USB. Such applications include photo booths, robotic / automated units, event photography and recording, mass portrait / passport and photogrammetry systems.

The EDSDK benefits will allow users to control Canon cameras remotely from a Mac or PC and use the same code across all compatible Canon cameras. To take advantage of multi-platform support on select models[1] for fast development, the new CCAPI features an agnostic operating system, allowing wireless usage in any environment, such as Windows, Mac, Android, iOS or Linux.

Key EDSDK/CCAPI functions include:

• Detecting, connecting/disconnecting the camera
• Checking and changing camera settings, including time
• Remote shooting
• Downloading/erasing images, formatting cards

"We are delighted to be expanding our EOS Digital SDK to the PowerShot series[2] and provide a tool that enables control of the camera and its power zoom remotely", said Yuko Tanaka, ITCG Product Marketing Director. "In addition, the new Camera Control API is based on Internet Protocol, making it compatible with all operating systems".

The PowerShot SX70 HS is Canon latest premium bridge camera, that delivers a truly portable and versatile shooting experience. The camera features a powerful 65x optical fixed lens zoom, equivalent to a 21--1365mm focal length. It also has DSLR-style looks and handling, a 7.5cm Vari-Angle LCD screen, 20.3 Megapixel sensor and 4K Ultra High Definition video. The PowerShot SX70 HS is an ideal all-in-one camera, capable of handling all types of shooting scenario, without the need to carry multiple lenses.

Camera API Package Availability

The camera API package is a release driven by business users' feedback and is part of Canon's commitment to deliver convenient solutions to developers and integrators. The EOS Digital SDK is available for immediate download at www.didp.canon-europa.com.

The Camera Control API will be available from March 2019 via the Canon developer's website.

For more information on the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS, please visit:
https://www.canon-europe.com/cameras/powershot-sx70-hs/

The new Arm Mali-C52 and Mali-C32 apply over twenty-five processing steps to each pixel, of which three critical ones deliver key differentiation in terms of image output quality. These include high-dynamic range (HDR), noise reduction and color management. By incorporating Arm’s market-leading Iridix technology and other industry-leading algorithms for noise and color management, Mali-C52 and Mali-C32 ISPs efficiently deliver all three at high resolution and in real-time (e.g. 4k resolution at 60fps).

The Mali-C52 can be configured for two different optimizations - image quality or area. This flexibility allows our silicon partners to use the same IP and software across a range of products and use cases. The Mali-C32 is optimized specifically for area in lower-power, cost-sensitive embedded vision devices such as entry-level access control or hobby drones.

Both ISPs are a complete solution as Arm delivers the hardware IP along with ISP software drivers, including the 3A libraries (auto-exposure, auto-white balance, auto-focus) and the calibration and tuning tools.

Full PR at https://www.arm.com/company/news/2019/01/a-sharper-digital-eye-for-intelligent-devices

Atomos Limited, a global video technology company has commenced trading on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) following the completion of an Initial Public Offering (IPO) which raised $6m through the issue of 14,634,146 new shares at $0.41 per share. At the IPO issue price Atomos has a market capitalisation of $62.2m.

Atomos will use the funds from the IPO to support the company’s global growth strategy, including expansion into adjacent growth segments of social and entertainment, as well as the launch and deployment of new products from its newly developed platform as showcased in the recently released Ninja V. After R&D investment of $39m in this platform, Atomos intends to utilise this development and double its product range over the next 12-24 months.

Atomos lists on the ASX having achieved revenue of $35.6 million in FY18, with 49% of its sales in the USA, 30% in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and 21% in Asia. For FY19 the Company has provided pro forma forecast revenue of $42.2 million at a projected gross margin of 47%.

CEO Jeromy Young, who co-founded the Company, said the IPO and ASX listing was a key step in continuing to grow Atomos presence in the burgeoning video content creation market.

“We’ve spent many years investing in silicon and software technology development to give Atomos an advanced offering with proprietary processing and trade secrets that underpin our product line,” he said.

“This technology, combined with our established brand and outstanding key relationships, place Atomos in an ideal position for continued growth. I’m extremely proud to be able to share the growth in value of the business with external investors as well as with the employees that are building the company together.”

Joining Young on the board of directors is former WH Smith Strategy Director and Henslow founder Chris Tait, Chairman of Seek Limited and Costa Group Neil Chatfield and Imagination Technologies founder Sir Hossein Yassaie. Morgans Corporate Limited and Henslow Pty Limited were Joint Lead Managers and Underwriters for the IPO.

Rumors are that some big sharks also think about buying Atomos and IPO can help to do it slowly and steadily, while having good valuation and lot of info.

We would like to announce and confirm that there are no issues with Irix lenses, as regards their general operation for the Canon EF mount in their current line-up when used on the Canon EOS R camera, and as released by the Canon Corporation via their Canon EOS R Adapter (Canon EF to Canon EOS R mount).

Thanks to this, it is possible to control the aperture from the camera, information about the distance transmitted to which the lens is focused, and to save full information about the exposure parameters in the EXIF format.

Compatible Irix lenses:

• Irix 11mm f/4
• Irix 15mm f/2.4
• Irix 150mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro

Investments required in the new generation of chips are so large that we can see such strange mergers.

Even stranger is that NVidia can actually merge after this with that will remain from AMD.

It seems like wrong decision to make paywall being inside extremely competitive area had been final straw.

This year we will introduce new faces and new voices: an expanded family devoted to studying and sharing the craft of photography. The digital photography industry continues to evolve (like everything else). Just as we have always done, we will continue to provide you with rigorous product reviews, compelling interviews with photographers from all over the world and videos that teach the latest in software and technology that will help elevate your photos from SD card to print.

https://luminous-landscape.com/

Corel Corporation announced that it has acquired the Parallels business, a global leader in cross-platform solutions best known for its #1-selling software for running Windows on Mac. Corel now offers the complete Parallels product line, including Parallels Desktop for Mac, Parallels Toolbox for Windows and Mac, Parallels Access, Parallels Mac Management for Microsoft SCCM, and Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) as part of its industry-leading software portfolio. Financial details were not disclosed.

Corel plans significant investment into the Parallels business and sees exceptional opportunities for growth by leveraging the strengths of both companies’ extensive customer bases, robust partner networks, and globally known brands. Together, Corel® and Parallels® deliver applications and services that empower users across their favorite platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chromebooks, Linux, Raspberry Pi, and the cloud.

“We’re excited to welcome our new Parallels employees to Corel’s global organization. From our highly complementary product portfolios to our shared business models and strategies, Corel and Parallels are a great fit. Thanks to the combined power of our technologies and teams, we see tremendous opportunities to drive continued growth and success for our businesses and, most importantly, our customers,” said Patrick Nichols, CEO of Corel.

“Parallels and Corel share a common vision, market leadership, and passion for innovation. We look forward to continuing to serve our customers and partners with best-in-class software as part of Corel,” said Jack Zubarev, CEO of Parallels.

“As part of Corel, Parallels is joining an impressive collection of industry leading brands, including CorelDRAW, WinZip, ClearSlide, and MindManager. One of Vector’s most successful investments, Corel has delivered an exceptional platform for acquisitions. We congratulate the Corel management team and look forward to working with them to achieve the company’s next phase of growth,” said Rob Amen, Managing Director, Vector Capital.

Parallels makes it simple for customers to use and access the applications and files they need on any device or operating system. Parallels helps businesses and individuals securely and productively use their favorite devices and preferred technology, whether it’s Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chromebook, Linux, Raspberry Pi, or the Cloud. Parallels solutions enable seamless delivery of virtual desktops and applications to any device; running Windows on a Mac; Mac management with Microsoft SCCM; remote access to PCs and Mac computers from any device; and deliver time savings by simplifying tedious common PC and Mac tasks down to just one click. For more information, please visit parallels.com/about.