Panasonic is set to take on the likes of Cisco, Kodak, and JVC with the launch of a $249 Full HD pocket camcorder that allows a user to take video and share them instantly.
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The Panasonic HM-TA1 records Full HD videos (1920 x 1080 @ 30fps) or iFrame (960 x 540 @30fps), comes with an integrated USB port that allows for instant uploading to YouTube, Facebook, or Flickr, records videos in MPEG4 (compatible with Apple iFrame video format), and can be used as a webcamera for programs such as Skype.
Panasonic Australia’s Group Marketing Manager, Audio Visual, Sophie Barton said, “The TA1 fits so many great features in such a small body. The ability to record in Full HD, instantly upload to the internet, its iFrame compatibility, and its capability to make free Skype based video calls as a web camera make the TA1 a one stop shop for avid social networkers and video makers.”
In addition, the TA1 can capture still images up to 8-megapixels, cut still images out of existing video recordings, with no need to connect any other device or to load the video into a PC for editing. The camera also offers the flexibility to capture a wide range of shooting opportunities, and an LED light that is located next to the lens allows the user to shoot in dimly-lit situations such as indoors.
The TA1 records onto SDXC/SDHC/SD Memory Cards for easy sharing and transferring data to a PC.
The Multimedia Camera’s USB terminal is located on the bottom of the TA1 and retracts into the camera body when not in use. By sliding out the terminal and plugging it into a PC, the built-in software automatically launches, and recorded images can be played and edited on a PC without having to use a connection cord.
The built-in software, HD Writer PE 1.0, can directly upload video clips from a PC to YouTube or Facebook without having to launch a browser, for quick and easy image sharing.
The HM-TA1 will be available in mid-September for $249.

