If you get a Google+ account, one added benefit is that you can now upload an unlimited number of higher quality photos (up to 2048 x 2048 pixels) to Google+ and/or Picasa Web Albums, for free. There are some differences in how your photos are handled and stored, depending on if you upload photos in Google+ or in Picasa Web Albums. The details are explained here.
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Make Skype HD Video Calls With These HD Webcams
Starting from Skype 4.2, it is now possible to make Skype HD video calls at 720p HD quality (1280×720 resolution at up to 30 frames per second). Skype had announced this HD video calling feature back in January, 2010, but only recently has a wider variety of HD webcams become available. Shown here is what is needed to make HD video calls over Skype, including details on several HD webcams (from Logitech, FreeTalk, faceVsion, and Microsoft).
Download Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Sample AVCHD Lite Video Featuring 12x Zoom
Here is another AVCHD Lite video sample for free download, from the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. This sample video, available as an unedited MTS file, features the 12x zoom capability of the camera; the Panasonic ZS3 can zoom while recording video. The video begins at the widest angle, at 1x zoom, then zooms in at its top speed until it reaches the maximum 12x zoom.
Download Sample MTS Files of AVCHD Lite HD Video for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Here are two sample HD videos in the AVCHD Lite format, presented for free download as original and unedited MTS files. They were filmed using the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 digital camera. These videos are taken straight out of the camera, with no post-processing of any kind.
Panasonic GF1: Collected Sample HD Video for Outdoor, Daytime Recording Conditions
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 is a micro four-thirds type (4/3 type) digital camera, with interchangeable lenses, that is capable of recording 720p HD video in the AVCHD Lite video format (MTS file, 1280 x 720 resolution), as well as in the Motion JPEG video format. Some sample unedited HD video is shown below, for outdoor and daytime recording conditions, as a resource for new or potential owners looking to compare video quality for this camera with others.
Sample AVCHD Lite HD Videos: Is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 A Camcorder Replacement?
The Panasonic ZS3 can, in many ways, act as a camcorder replacement, because of its unlimited recording time, ability to zoom while recording, 720p HD quality video, dedicated video record button, 16:9 aspect ratio option, and stereo sound microphone. Of course, a video camcorder specializes in capturing video, while the Panasonic ZS3 does not, though it features the AVCHD Lite video format.
HD Video Record Time Limit: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 vs DMC-TZ7 (AVCHD Lite)
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 is a compact digital camera that is also known as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ7 in Europe. These two models, the ZS3 and the TZ7, both can record HD video in the AVCHD Lite video format and the Motion JPEG video format. The ZS3 and TZ7 are identical except when it comes to their HD video recording time limits. The main difference is that the Panasonic ZS3 can record continuous video of unlimited length for HD video (no time limit, maximum video length depends on memory card), while the TZ7 has time limits on the length of continuous HD video it can record.
Convert and Edit DMC-ZS3 AVCHD Lite Video for Free
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 (also known as DMC-TZ7) can record 720p HD video in the AVCHD Lite video format (1280 x 720), with the ".mts" file extension, which has no time limit on video length and which has file sizes much smaller than the alternative Motion JPEG format.
To edit AVCHD Lite video (.mts), it is easier to first convert a copy of the video to an AVI file (.avi).