ASUS introduces P5WD2 Premium motherboard for your digital homes

Nikon unveils D50 and D70s digital SLR cameras

ASUS introduces P5WD2 Premium motherboard for your digital homes

P5WD2 Premium opens the new line of motherboards designed for hi-end digital homes. Besides other features, the board has an interesting option — WiFi-TV Card. It combines an 802.11a/b/g adapter, FM tuner, TV tuner and a DVB-T tuner. Such functionality covers all you might need, except for Bluetooth that is easily established via a dongle, WiMAX or ZigBee (whichever takes over).

Specs:

• Intel 955X/ICH7R chipset
• 1066/800/533 MHz FSB
• DDR2-800/677/533 memory
• 1 x PCIe x16, 1 x Universal PCIe (up to x4), 1 x PCIe x1, 3 x PCI
• Dual-port LAN
• 6 x Serial ATA II, incl. 1 external
• RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 and Matrix on chipset, 0, 1 on Sil3132
• 3 x FireWare and 8 x USB
• Optional WiFi 802.11a/b/g
• Optional DVB-T/TV/FM tuner

Universal PCIe can be used to install the second graphics card. At that BIOS automatically recognizes such configuration, no hardware switches required.

The board supports the entire ASUS AI bundle, including Stack Cool 2 — special board layout with heat dissipating screens claimed to reduce temperature in hot zones down to 20 degrees. Also note the HDA sound and support for Windows XP 64-bit Edition in BIOS and drives.

Announced a couple of days later than other motherboards for dual-core processors, this one looks like a dessert.

Source: ASUSTeK

Nikon unveils D50 and D70s digital SLR cameras

Nikon unveiled two new SLR cameras: D50 and D70s, the latter coming to stores later this month.

The D50 features advanced Digital Vari-Program with the "Child" mode and, of course, has fully manual controls and the new image processor. The camera is able to shoot series of up to 137 images at 2.5fps with 30s to 1/4000s exposures and 200-1600 ISO sensitivity. The 5-zone AF system features already familiar cross sensor and framewise or continuous tracking focus. Besides, AF-assist is available as well. Finally, the novelty offers 3D Color Matrix Metering II system. The D50 is expected to go on sale in June 2005.

Nikon D50 features:

• Effective pixels: 6.1 million
• Image sensor: 23.7 x 15.6 mm RGB CCD; 6.24 million total pixels
• Image size: L (3,008 x 2,000) / M (2,256 x 1,496) / S (1,504 x 1,000)
• Sensitivity: ISO equivalency 200 to 1600 in steps of 1 EV
• Storage media: SD Memory Card
• Color setting: 3 modes available
• LCD monitor: 2.0-in., 130,000-dot, low-temp. polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment
• Exposure metering: TTL full-aperture exposure metering system; 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-Weighted, and Spot
• Exposure control: Digital Vari-Program (Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Night portrait), Programmed Auto with flexible program [P], Shutter-Priority Auto [S], Aperture-Priority Auto [A], and Manual [M]
• Interface: USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed)
• Power source: Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3, AC Adapter EH-5 (optional)
• Dimensions (W x H x D): Approx. 133 x 102 x 76mm (5.2 x 4.0 x 3.0 in.)
• Weight: Approx. 540g (1lb 3oz) without battery memory card, or body cap

Another novelty, D70s, is the one promised by Nikon earlier. D70s features Nikon DX sensor and Nikon F lens mount compatible with all AF Nikkor and DX Nikkor lenses.

Nikon D70s specs:

• Effective pixels: 6.1 million
• Image sensor: 23.7 x 15.6 mm RGB CCD; 6.24 million total pixels
• Image size: L (3,008 x 2,000) / M (2,240 x 1,488) / S (1,504 x 1,000)
• Sensitivity: ISO equivalency 200 to 1600
• Storage media: CompactFlash™(CF) Card (Type I / II) and Microdrive™
• Color setting: 3 modes available
• LCD monitor: 2.0-in., 130,000-dot, low-temp. polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment
• Exposure metering: TTL full-aperture exposure metering system; 3D Color Matrix Metering, Center-Weighted, and Spot
• Exposure control: Digital Vari-Program (Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close up, Sports, Night landscape, Night portrait), Programmed Auto (Flexible Program possible) [P], Shutter-Priority Auto [S], Aperture-Priority Auto [A], and Manual [M]
• Interface: USB: Mass Storage and PTP selectable
• Power requirements: Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3a, Quick Charger MH-18a, Multi Charger MH-19, AC Adapter EH-5 (optional), CR2 Battery Holder MS-D70 (optional)
• Dimensions (W x H x D): Approx. 140 x 111 x 78mm (5.5 x 4.4 x 3.1 in.)
• Weight: Approx. 600g (1 lb 5 oz) without battery and storage media

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