from an Altasens, Inc. press release

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — CMOS sensor pioneer AltaSens, Inc., today announced production availability of its 1/3-inch ProCamHD 2460 and 2462 sensors for deployment in the latest high definition video HDV camcorders and HD cameras. Both 1.3 megapixel sensors generate crystal-clear progressive 12-bit digital video at uncompromised 1280 by 720 resolution and 75 MHz rate. The result is perfectly smooth 720/60p HDV or 50 Hz SXGA.

ProCamHD technology uses elegant CMOS imaging system-on-chip (iSoC) integration to enable noise-free megapixel video and rapid-fire snapshots, even under non-optimum lighting conditions. Other CCD and CMOS sensor manufacturers instead reduce HD video sensor resolution to cut noise and attempt to recover lost resolution via increasingly complex back-end processing.

Les Kozlowski, CTO and Founder, remarked, "Consumers can now have affordable HDV camcorders that deliver life-like video while finally eliminating the blurring caused by old-fashioned interlacing and yesterday’s frame rates. AltaSens’ ProCamHD 2462 sensor uniquely delivers minimum SNR of 47 dB at only 500 lux and cost-effective f2.8 aperture while recording at 60 Hz. This beats even high-end 3-CCD cameras that yield lower resolution at slower frame rates and require an excessively expensive lens."

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The 2462 sensor supports single-chip cameras with the latest RGB color filter and microlens technology. Its maximum power dissipation of 350 mW lengthens battery life. The 2460 is the monochrome counterpart sensor with advanced microlens array for low-power 3-CMOS cameras. Both deliver low noise via tapered reset, a patented technique for greatly reducing noise and maximizing dynamic range. While film-like with respect to exposure latitude, each sensor’s 60 Hz frame rate largely prevents cinema-like smearing.

Patrick Quinn, AltaSens President and CEO, added, "We are pleased to see our ground-breaking CMOS innovations continue to shape the market for high-end sensors. Our customers’ reception to the 246X series of image sensors, with wide-ranging interest from Tier 1 camcorder, video conferencing, document, and security camera manufacturers, is a testament to that fact."

AltaSens is supporting 246X sensor evaluation and initial setup via a comprehensive evaluation kit and AltaSens’ ProCEED Software Package. The evaluation kit comes with Megapixel-quality lens, cabling, and frame capture board for use in a PC. The ProCEED software simplifies sensor programming while enabling real-time PC-based imaging and extensive sensor characterization.

Episode 15 of the vidcast should be up today, along with it’s streaming counterpart. No guinea pigs were physically harmed in the making of this video. I think we called it a “gerbil” though, so some emotional damage may have occured.

If you’re sending these videos to a TV set, be sure to subscribe to the “High Quality” version available just below the streaming video window.
Be sure to check out all of the NAB streaming video also. Lots to watch! Enjoy.

from a NewBlue, Inc press release

-May 23, 2006-Interactive technology developer NewBlue, Inc. announced today the launch of its first end-user targeted product line, NewBlueFX. The products will be sold directly on http://www.newbluefx.com and in OEM bundles. Initially featuring 7 collections of 57 effects plugins, NewBlueFX add simplicity and power to popular digital video editing software packages, such as Sony Vegas, Adobe Premiere, ULead Video Studio and Media Studio, Avid Liquid, and Pinnacle Studio.

"You won’t find run-of-the-mill effects here," explains Melissa Jordan Grey, NewBlue co-founder and chief creative officer. "NewBlueFX offer a fresh, innovative approach to plugin technologies. Our company’s roots are in film and music production, and this innate understanding of the creative process shows in our work."

In addition, the NewBlue is offering "Halovision," a free Sony Vegas video effect to all users who visit the NewBlueFX web site. This video effect plugin creates an aura around objects in the frame. Halovision simulates paint effects ranging from "halo" to "soft glow" to "water color painting."

Product Family Overview

The NewBlueFX product line consists of two main categories, AudioFX and VideoFX.

Features of the AudioFX collections run the gamut from audio filtering, such as equalization, noise reduction and compression to creative sound manipulation tools, such as "Insectoid," "Buzz" and "Robot Fog." In the VideoFX collections, users will find plugins that provide artistic techniques, such as air brushing, pastel sketching and line drawing, as well as motion effects, such as earthquake, spin blur, wiggle and zoom.

Included in the AudioFX category are 5 distinct VST-compatible collections.

-NewBlue Equalizers, 9 specialized audio filters that boost or cut ranges of tone in a specialized manner. Plugins include: Adjust Highs, Adjust Lows, Graphic EQ, Parametric EQ, Remove Highs, Remove Lows, Tone Eliminator, Filter Sweep, and Swirl.

-NewBlue Essentials, 8 standard audio processing tools, NewBlue Essentials make any soundtrack complete. Plugins include: Chorus, Delay, Distortion, Echo, Flange, Phaser, Reverb, and Slap Back.

-NewBlue Production Tools, 11 must-have effects to boost the clarity and performance of video soundtracks. Plugins include: Sharpener, Stereoizer, Monofier, Bass Boost, Crisper, Compactor, Sound Expander, Dual Compressor, Tone Compressor, Dual Expander, and Tone Expander

-NewBlue Scrubbers, 6 powerful, easy-to-use audio repair techniques. Plugins include: Audio Polish, Cleaner, Auto Mute, Background Fader, Hum Remover, and Noise Reduction

-NewBlue SoundBenders, 9 environmental, vocal and atmospheric effects. Plugins include: Buzzurgle, Insectoid, Phone, Radio, Resonator, Robot Fog, Under Water, Wah and Wind.

Included in the VideoFX category are 2 collections, designed for Sony Vegas editing software:

-NewBlue Art Effects, 7 specialized video filters that create a visually stunning alternate reality. Plugins include: Air Brush, Colorize, Dream Glow, Duochrome, Line Drawing, Metallic, and Pastel Sketch.

-NewBlue Motion Effects, 7 specialized video filters that add movement to the video image. Plugins include: Active Camera, Earthquake, Motion Blur, Shear Energy, Spin Blur, Wiggle and Zoom Blur.

We just wrapped up our Videomaker West Coast Conference tour and have received more than a few requests for us to not only provide our popular lectures, but hands-on workshops as well. Traditionally, we’ve given these only at our headquarters here in Northern California, but these types of requests seem to be more frequent.

So what do you think? Would you like to see Videomaker come to your hometown with a two or three-day hands-on workshop? If so, let us know what topics you’d like to have us cover.

from a Jahshaka press release

The Jahshaka Project today announces the release of the Jahshaka 2.0 RC3, the world’s first complete, open source, real-time editing and visual effects application. Distributed under the GNU General Public License, Jahshaka is a groundbreaking tool that promises to revolutionize digital content creation through the power of open source. The software and its source code are available for public download at www.Jahshaka.org

Designed for editors and other professionals involved in digital content creation, Jahshaka is a post production suite that will ultimately include modules for video and audio editing, compositing, animation, visual effects, graphics and paint. Hardware accelerated using OpenGL and built using cross-platform technology, the software runs equally well on Windows, Mac OSX and Linux. Under development since January 2000, the project has had more than 500,000 downloads to date.

The Jahshaka 2.0 release also includes JahPlayer, a cross-platform media player that eliminates the need to install multiple media player software. The tool supports 2K and 4K playback of everything from media files to raw image sequences. It is different from most media players on the market in that it is able to maintain the aspect ratio of the source and it uses a completely hardware accelerated pipeline. Future versions will include real-time color correction, real-time 3D scene files and A/B playback.

What makes Jahshaka radically different from other video production software is that it is being developed as an open source project. The software is freely available and a community of users is contributing to its development and the creation of new features and plugins.

"We believe that Jahshaka will fundamentally change the way digital content is created buy putting powerful, professional quality tools into the hands of anyone who wants them," said Karsten Becker, founder of the Jahshaka Project. "This product significantly lowers the barrier to entry in video production by eliminating costly software licensing fees and it taps into the creativity and talent of the community of users by making them active participants in its ongoing development. Out motto is participation equals ownership."

As an open source project, Jahshaka will integrate seamlessly with other software tools. It also has the potential to develop faster and attain greater functionality and flexibility than current tools developed as closed source products.

"We want to stimulate interest in Jahshaka and grow the community of both users and developers in order to attract feedback from industry professionals and spur further product development," said Goncalo De Carvalho, lead developer of the Jahshaka Project. "Jahshaka 2.0 is just a sample of what’s to come. As we move forward with the v3 codebase, and the product continues to mature, you will start to see a lot of high end functionality being rolled out."

"We have a strong community supporting the project and without them we would not be around today. They contribute everything from beta testing, support documents and tutorials to code fixes, new features and the motivation we need to keep doing what we are doing!"

www.Jahshaka.org

Ok… not really a Variety Show, but a showing nonetheless of reader and viewer submitted videos for critique by the Videomaker Editorial Staff on our vidcast, “Videomaker Presents“.

From lighting to shooting, editing, producing and acting, all of us on the VM Ed. Dept. staff have had extensive experience in one or more areas of video production, and through our experience, we are giving you one of those rare chances to get a review that you can use.

Showing your video to family and friends might get you raves and acclaim, but how honest and valuable is that response? We’ll be critiquing 20 points of video production that can help your video go beyond the ordinary point-and-shoot home videos to something worthy of showing to the world.
Beginning with Videomaker Presents Episode 15, the Videomaker editors will review submitted videos for critique on the following subjects in our “Take 20” segment: