Unlike electronic image stabilizing methods, the new IXY DV M's Optical Image Stabilizer corrects for camera shake without causing any degradation of image quality, making possible smooth, steady, blur-free images when taking still shots, as well as when shooting movies. As a result, the IXY DV M realizes high-quality 1.23-million-pixel blur-free still images throughout the entire zoom range. Featuring a sleek vertical design, the IXY DV M is equipped with a newly developed compact video lens with 10x optical zoom. Furthermore, CaNon's proprietary MACS (Multi Architecture Camera System) camera-signal-processing LSI (large-scale integrated circuit) processes movie and still signals separately, contributing to natural color reproduction. The LSI automatically assumes that tape-recorded images will be displayed on TV monitors and card-recorded images printed out, optimizing color processing accordingly to ensure vivid high-quality color reproduction in either mode. CaNon's new camcorder also supports Camera Direct printing of still shots captured on memory cards. Requiring only a single proprietary cable connection between the camcorder and CaNon Card Photo Printers CP-10 and CP-100, or Bubble Jet Printers BJ 895PD and BJ 535 PD (all sold separately), Camera Direct eliminates the need for a PC in the print process by enabling users to control print settings directly from the camcorder's LCD screen. Further enhancing still photography performance, the IXY DV M also supports the Exif Print (Exif 2.2) standard defined and controlled by JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information TechNologies Industries Association). The IXY DV M's Accessory Kit AK-550 (sold separately) includes CaNon's DV Messenger communication software, supporting visual and audio communication as a TV-phone when the camcorder is connected to the Internet** . DV Messenger software enables users to remotely control from their PC the functions of the CaNon camcorder*** being used by the person with whom they are communicating. In addition, it allows the users to exchange digital still-image files and view movies recorded on each other's camcorder.