Sanyo is in the news today, and again it’s about the company’s green tech power. The company today announced [JP] it will do everything to become Japan’s top player in the domestic solar industry by 2012 and eventually one of the top three solar companies on a global level. At the same time, the Nikkei reports [registration required, paid subscription] that Sanyo has succeeded in developing a solar cell that’s thinner than a human hair.

The company says it will benefit greatly from a new feed-in tariff program by the Japanese government introduced this month for green energy firms. Another factor for Sanyo’s self-confidence should be the speed with which it innovates. Their new prototype solar cell is just 58 micrometers thick, about one-fourth of most solar cells currently out there. (Sorry, there’s no picture available yet)

It’s made of two types of silicon whose structure Sanyo optimized to achieve a conversion efficiency of 22%. It’s said to be as bendable as paper, meaning it can be used for a variety of purposes, for example on uneven surfaces.

Sanyo says this technology might help reduce prices by as much as 25% when compared to solar cells available today. The company wants to commercialize the solar cells by 2020.

I know this thing looks like a …curling iron, but it’s not. The so-called Stick Booster [press release in English] is Sanyo’s newest addition to it’s ever-growing series of green, “eneloop”-branded products. You can use it to battery-charge your mobile devices.

The stick can house two AA-sized batteries and is being marketed as a “handy power source” for gaming handhelds, portable media players and cell phones in particular. It has a USB port, a charge output time of 90 minutes and can also be used for the iPhone as Sanyo itself emphasizes. Sized at 18 (diameter) x 148 (length) mm and sporting an aluminum body, the stick weigs 76g (including the batteries).

The batteries (that come packaged with the stick) can be recharged about 1,500 times. The device will hit Japanese stores at the beginning of next month and hasn’t been announced for international markets yet, but you can already pre-order it over Geek Stuff 4 U for $34.72 plus shipping.

The deal has been in the making for months now, but yesterday Panasonic finally announced a tender offer for Sanyo Electric, paving the way to convert Sanyo into a wholly owned subsidiary as early as the middle of next month.

The tender offer is being supported by Sanyo’s board, and the company’s three main shareholders (all of them are in the finance sector) have agreed to sell their shares to Panasonic. The shares from the companies account for 50.13% of all Sanyo shares.

Both the Sanyo brand and the company’s listing at the Tokyo Stock Exchange remain untouched however. Panasonic says the primary goal of the acquisition was to boost the company’s position in the field of green energy, i.e. by tapping Sanyo’s expertise in batteries and solar panels. One of Sanyo’s biggest hits in the past few years has been their eneloop series of rechargeable batteries and related products.

The new giant will rival Japan’s biggest electronics company, Hitachi, in terms of sales.

A while back I was at AMD’s overclocking challenge, and for shooting video I had a Kodak Zx1 and a Casio Exilim FC-100 for slow motion. Both are great cameras, but 720p on either one is a bit indistinct, and the Zx1 has a fixed focus lens, which makes up-close shots difficult. Vince from SlashGear had a pistol-grip Sanyo, which I had dismissed before as gimmicky, but having gotten a chance to handle it, I decided I liked it and would pick up the next generation when they came out. Well, they came out a while back and I’ve been using it since. And now I’m reviewing it.

There are a few cameras like this one, so let’s be clear: I’m talking about the CG10, which is sort of the lowest-end Sanyo you can get. 720p is its maximum resolution, which is more than enough for any home video or web media. They make a big deal about how “It’s a Dual Camera! Photos & Videos” but really now, camcorders have been taking pictures for years and years, and I don’t advise doing it if you don’t have to.

Build and layout

The CG10 differs from many other cheap camcorders and pocketcams in that it actually has a real lens. It’s far from a real real lens, but it’s not the fixed-focus pinhole crap you see on Flips, Kodaks, and Nanos. This means it has a 5x optical zoom and better light sensitivity than those other options, at the cost of a slightly larger size.

The CG10 is about the size of a large mouse, just to give you a general idea. It feels pleasantly weighty and is well-balanced. Remember, this isn’t a pocket camcorder, it’s merely compact; it’s certainly small enough to bring everywhere, but unlike a Flip (or an iPod Nano, I suppose) it’s not a front-pocket kind of thing. Though it does sit comfortably in your back pocket if your pants aren’t too tight. Just don’t sit down on it.

As you can see in the pictures, it’s got a nice little 3″ flip-out LCD, which is bright and reasonably sharp. Controls are all situated for your thumb to operate; your other fingers have nothing to do but grip. This works pretty well once you get the layout down. The menu layout is the normal sort of thing, though I have to say I searched for ages for a way to delete things on camera before I realized that the “menu” button was taking me to the wrong place. The usual options are there, with several choices for exposure control, stabilization, and face tracking.

Quality and features

One feature I found extremely handy was the manual focus mode. For keeping a device in focus while I or my hand move in and out of the shot, it’s invaluable. I used it (to great effect) in my Zune HD and Sleek SA-6 reviews. Its macro mode focuses down to 1cm, which is fantastic for getting close-ups of components, plus it gives a great depth of field effect. I found the autofocus to be a bit slow in general (though accurate), so I use manual whenever I can.

For a $200 camera, I found color and sharpness to be good, though the small sensor and major compression mean motion will always be kind of smeary. Of course if you whip it back and forth you’ll get that wobbly skew action, but that’s something you can avoid. Exposure was pretty decent, and you can select center-weighted or spot, but not manual. Low light performance is nothing to write home about, but again we’re talking about a $200 camera here. Make sure you have your lights on or you’ll be seeing noise.

Sound is pretty basic, and the microphones are located on the back of the LCD, which is good if you’re filming the thing creating the sound. Bad if you’re filming yourself and you have reversed the LCD so you can make sure you’re in frame. I didn’t have any issue with the sound other than the fact that it was about as medium-quality as you can expect from a budget device.

Battery life seemed normal for a small camcorder with no moving parts. The battery is removable and comes with a charger, as you might expect. No surprises here.

File sizes are manageable. I set it immediately to the highest quality and a 22-second video took up 25MB, for reference. 640×480 should be about half that, though it will also shoot 640×480 at 60FPS, which obviously will take up more space. It uses H.264 and the files are MP4. It has a tiny amount of internal space (40MB) so you’ll be shooting to SD. One annoying thing I found was that the SD slot can’t be accessed without flipping the LCD up and consequently turning on the camera. Not a big deal but vexing nonetheless.

Bottom line

The Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG10 can be found for far less than $200, and I think at $200 it was already a good deal. It’s not pocketable, but in every other respect it bests the pocket-cam army. If you’re looking for a basic around-the-house camcorder, I highly recommend the CG10.

But let’s just get these camcorders out of the way, because they’re worth taking a look at. The two cameras are almost the same spec-wise except the horizontally-oriented FH1 has a 3-inch LCD as opposed to the pistol grip HD2000’s 2.7-inch. They appear to be quite versatile camcorders, able to take 12 stills a second or shoot up to 600FPS video at reduced resolution, something which was until recently the exclusive ability of Casio Exilims. They’ll shoot 1080p video at 60FPS, which is pretty amazing, though I don’t recommend you do it. Interestingly, they won’t shoot 720p or 640×480 at 60FPS — a bit odd. SD cards are the medium you record to, and both cameras have a 10x optical zoom. Quite a neat little package for $500! Or $600 if you want the pistol grip.

But to return to the rant. These cameras will also shoot, and in fact will default to, the 960×540 iFrame format. Come on. It can do so much and you’re defaulting it to this random format?

Good for Sanyo Japan that the word “portable” isn’t really strictly defined in the projector space. Because I have no idea why the company calls its new projector, the LP-XM150 announced today [press release in English], portable: The thing weighs 9.7kg. Last month, Sanyo presented a device that somehow deserved the name, as the LP-XU106 weighs just 4kg.

But anyway, the LP-XM150 has some good specs at least: 6,500 lumens brightness (which Sanyo says is the highest in this weight class), 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 1,204×768 resolution, Ethernet, a 7W speaker (mono), a 330W lamp and a vertical 360-degree tilt angle projection function to project images on the ceiling or floor.

Sanyo will start selling the projector in Japan from November 20 for $10,500. One month later, the company will ship the LP-XM100, a trimmed down version with “just” 5,000 lumens (for $9,400). Sanyo hasn’t said anything yet regarding sales in markets outside Japan.

Sanyo has today announced a new mobile projector for the Japanese market, the LP-XU106 [press release in English]. The device is the brightest in its weight class (under 4kg), producing a respectable 4,000 lumens. It’s sized at 334.2×257.5×78.4mm and weighs just 3.4kg.

Other specs include a contrast ratio of 1,000:1, a 275W lamp, LAN, a 1W mono speaker and the so-called “corner keystone correction function” that corrects the projected images when you can’t place the projector directly in front of the screen (see the graphic below for a detailed explanation).

Sanyo has written the press release in English, but doesn’t say when users outside Japan can buy the LP-XU106. In this country, it’ll hit stores November 20, costing $5,800.

Sanyo has been offering Xacti camcorders shooting 720p video (1280×720) for quite a while now, and today Sanyo Japan announced the DMX-CG11 [JP], another (enhanced) 720p model. The new device features a mini HDMI interface and Eye-Fi support.

The DMX-CG11 features a 10.66MP 1/2.33-inch CMOS sensor, 5x optical zoom, USB 2.0, SD/SDHC memory card support (internal memory: 40MB), a stereo mic, mono speaker, and a 3-inch TFT screen. It measures 72.0×38.0×112.8mm and weighs 190g (including the battery and an SD card).

The camcorder will hit Japanese stores on September 11 for a moderate $300 (available in green, silver and orange.

Casio Japan unveiled [JP] two new Exilim point-and-shoot cameras today, the EX-Z450 and the EX-Z90. The main selling point of the devices is the ability to detect objects (not only human beings) and to then automatically set the focus and exposure area to give you high-quality pictures.

The EX-Z90 can be considered weaker than the Z450. It features a 12.1MP sensor, a 2.7-inch LCD screen, 3x optical zoom, an ISO range of 64 to 1,600, an SDHC/SD memory card slot and 35.7MB of internal memory. The camera weighs 102g and will be available in gold, silver, pink, blue and black (release date in Japan: September 11, price: $210).

The EX-Z450 has a 12.1MP CCD sensor, a 3-inch LCD screen, a 28mm 4x optical zoom lens and features an ISO range of 64 to 3,200. It can record video in 720/24p (Motion JPEG) and also comes with an SDHC/SD memory card slot and 35.7MB of internal memory. The Z450 is slightly heavier at 130g and will cost $380 when it goes on sale in Japan on August 28 (in gold, red and pink; the models in brown and silver follow September 11).

Casio hasn’t said yet when or if the Exilim cameras will find their way outside Japan.

The swine flu (aka H1N1) isn’t really a hot topic anymore (when compared to the situation a few months ago), but it still remains a big problem. Today Sanyo of all companies made an announcement in Tokyo (press release in English), claiming their “electrolyzed water technology” has proven to be actually effective in fighting the nasty virus.

Sanyo claims that their new technology, jointly developed with the Gunma Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences in central Japan, is at least 99% effective in suppressing infectivity for H1N1 (the virus was exposed to electrolyzed water for ten minutes after which this viral infectivity reduction effect was observed). A mixture with tap water served as an example for a viral infectivity residual ratio of 100%.

Sanyo says their water destroys the “spikes” of the swine flu viruses, which then can’t stick to human cells anymore to cause the illness.

The company is pretty active in the field of “virus neutralization”. In June 2008, for example, it presented a “virus washer system” that’s now in place in a number of movie theaters in Japan and kills off odors, bacteria, viruses and pollen even in large spaces.

Sanyo added a few new products to its successful eneloop brand of “green” electronics today [JP], i.e. a hand warmer, a battery-powered and extra-warm blanket and a neck warmer. The coolest new product is the eneloop portable solar, a portable solar panel that’s sized at 174(W)×204(H)×26(D)mm.

The mini panel weighs 230g and is supposed to make sure gadget freaks can power (almost) any of their loved devices on the go. It features a USB port and comes with a separate “mobile booster” (70g) for your cell phone. So far, so good but you need to charge the solar panel for around three days to get around 120 minutes of juice. This takes just 7 hours via USB.

Sanyo plans to sell the device for $90 starting as early as August 10 (there will also be a twin set – two solar panels combined – available for $150).

Also, take a look at the eneloop neck warmer below (no idea why Sanyo announces those warmers in August). The thing looks strange, but it could be quite useful in winter (it goes on sale September 1 for $70).

No release dates have been announced for market outside Japan yet, so contact the Japan Trend Shop or Geek Stuff 4 U if you really want to get the eneloop stuff shipped outside Japan.

Sanyo landed a huge hit with its eneloop brand that includes a number of “green” products, such as lamps, batteries or even Wii controllers. In the past few months, the company also introduced electric bikes that featured eneloop technology, one of which it wanted to sell outside Japan as well.

Now Nippon gets another two eneloop-branded bikes [JP], a carbon fiber model and a foldable bicycle. The way both models work is the same: Every time you drive downhill or decelerate, the electric motor switches to a dynamo, allowing for regenerative charging. Both bikes are pretty cool but have one disadvantage: The hefty price tag.

The CY-SPK227 (pictured above), is the world’s first electric bike with a carbon fiber frame. Targeting sports fanatics, the bike weighs 19.5kg and is 1,830mm long. Charge the 25.2V/5.7Ah lithium-ion battery for 3.5 hours, and the bike will let you drive for about 100km (assisted travel range). Available in black only, Sanyo plans to start selling the bike on October 1. The price: $6,700.

Sanyo also presented a foldable electric bike today, the CY-SPJ220, which is less spectacular but also way cheaper. That bike’s 24V/3.1Ah lithium-ion battery is good for an assisted travel range of up to 46km with a single charge (which takes 2 hours and 15 minutes).

The CY-SPJ220, which isn’t made of carbon fiber, weighs 18.5kg and is available in black, red or white. Sanyo will start selling the bike in Japan on September 21 fo $1,100.

The company hasn’t said yet if these bikes will ever make their way outside Nippon as well.

Sanyo Japan today announced the strange, vase-like “eneloop lamp” [press release in English] that can be used both as a regular interior light or as a flashlight (when you pick it up and hold it like one). As a third option, the device also serves as a “healing lamp” once you switch from white to blue lighting.

The eneloop lamp can be charged wirelessly by putting it on its charging stand. Sanyo says two eneloop AA batteries are enough to power the futuristic device for 6 hours in flashlight mode, up to 45 hours in white light mode and up to 16 hours in blue light mode.

The eneloop lamp will hit Japanese stores September 11 and will cost $160. Take a look at the video below to see how the healing light works. Sanyo is yet to say something about their distribution plans for the lamp.

Via Kaden Watch [JP]

Sanyo seems to now entirely focus on projectors targeted at professional customers and businesses. After announcing a $6,000 Wi-fi enabled projector last month, the company today said in Japan [JP] it’s about to roll out two additional models with some great specs.

The first new Sanyo projector, the PDG-DET100JL (pictured above) features SXGA+ (1,400 x 1,050) resolution and produces 7,500 lumens brightness, which is the highest in this class. The contrast ratio of 7,500:1 isn’t too shabby either.

It’s also equipped with a DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) mode for more detailed images, making it especially useful for medical institutions. See the diagram above for an example of a DICOM image.

The WTC500L (see above) produces “just” 5,000 lumens brightness and features Wide XGA resolution “only” (1,280×800 resolution). It’s equipped with not one but two lamps between which the user can switch through the push of a button.

The PDG-DET100JL goes on sale in Japan on August 21 (price: $20,000), while the WTC500L will cost $11,000 when it hits stores over here on July 1. Americans are able to try the devices out starting today, provided they can make it to the InfoComm in Orlando, Florida.

Today Sanyo Japan announced a new high-end projector, the LP-WXU700 [JP], which is the world’s first WiFi-enabled projector supporting the IEEE802.11n standard (and thus the fastest). Sized at 334.2×78.4×257.5mm (weight: 3.6kg), the device is marketed by Sanyo as a mobile projector.

Sanyo says users can conveniently stream video from their PCs through the projector (it also supports the Windows Vista Network Projector standard). The WXGA device features a 500:1 contrast ratio, produces 3,800 lumens brightness and comes with a 275W lamp. Sanyo also threw in one HDMI and one USB interface.

The LP-WXU700 goes on sale in Japan on June 19 and costs $6,300. It’s unknown at this point whether Sanyo will sell the projector outside Japan as well.

In Japan, Sanyo is not only known as a maker of home electronics and eneloop, rechargeable batteries, but also as a maker of home appliances. Their Aqua AWD-AQ4000, which will go on sale in Nippon only on June 1 [JP], is the fourth in a series of washing machines that feature a built-in ozone generator to deodorize and disinfect laundry.

The machine is actually a combination of washer and dryer. It features twice the ozone power of the AQ3000, the previous Aqua model, washing clothes in about 39 minutes. The previous version took 20 minutes longer to do the job and used 10% more water (the new model requires 68 liters of water). Power consumption stands at 6Wh.

Owners can even use the ozone power to deodorize smelly shoots, jackets and other items that are usually difficult to clean. That process just takes about eight minutes.

Sanyo plans to sell the washer/dryer combo for $3,000. It’s unknown whether the device will ever be available outside Japan.

Sanyo says it achieved this impressive driving range by developing a battery that automatically recharges (at least to some extent) when the driver brakes or drives downhill. Other modifications include a front basket that can carry up to 10kg (3 times more than the baskets in other Sanyo hybrids) and tires that are 20% wider than previous eneloop bikes.

Sanyo says it aims at selling the bike to cost-conscious commuters, courier companies and maintenance firms but doesn’t expect to sell more than 300 units for the time being. The bike, which weighs a massive 32kg, costs $1,300 in Nippon. But when can we expect them appear in stores outside this country?

As far as picture quality in home cinema goes, nothing can beat laser projectors, which use lasers as light source. And today, Sanyo in Japan made another leap forward by unveiling a new model that boasts 7,000 lumens [JP], which is the world’s highest brightness level.

The yet to be named super-short focus RGB laser projector produces full HD images as large as 150 inches when you place it 94 cm away from the screen (100 inches if the screen is 63cm away). The throw ratio stands at 0.28.

Sanyo hasn’t revealed yet when they plan to bring the projector to market and how much to charge for it. At least we know it’s sized at 2370×510×630mm and that it promises to be awesome.

If you’re lookin’ for a barebones QWERTY candybar on the cheap, Sprint and Sanyo have a handset you should see. Well, they will in May.

We’re not quite sure why they announcing this one a whole month early, but Sprint and Sanyo have let it be known that the SCP-2700 will be hitting the shelves (exclusively at Sprint) come May 10th.

Read the rest of this entry at MobileCrunch >>

Electric bikes are becoming more and more popular in Japan as top electronics brands such as Panasonic, Toshiba and Yamaha are rolling out new models monthly.

In December last year, Sanyo announced an electric bike and said it may even be exported to overseas markets soon. Today, the company said [JP] that from March on, the local government of Tokushima Prefecture in Southern Japan will get three Sanyo eneloop bikes and the electricity they need from a special solar parking spot.

Sanyo, which runs a battery factory in the prefecture, says the solar parking station is fully automatic. It mainly consists of 3 units of Sanyo’s proprietary HIT solar panels (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin layer, 210W each) and boasts an annual energy production of 690kWh. In the case of an emergency, an emergency electric supply unit makes sure that the bikes are usable.

Civil servants in Tokushima are free to use the bikes for work-related drives. Sanyo said they aim at making Tokushima a hub for green power innovations.