reprinted from an Azden Press release:

Franklin Square, NY––Azden Corporation has introduced the FMX-42, the company’s newest and most versatile Professional Field Mixer.

Designed for maximum flexibility, the FMX-42 includes the most features in the smallest and lightest configuration. The new 4-In/2-Out portable mixer has all the features required for in-field audio for video.
Some of these features include: 4 Balanced XLR line/mic inputs with individual Level and Pan controls; switchable (per input) 48V phantom power and limiting; professional grade VU meters for accurate level setting; master level control; 1K tone generator; 2 balanced XLR outputs (line/mic switchable); a stereo mini jack output for DV cams and headphone monitor with level control.

The FMX-42 is either powered by 6 AA batteries or an optional 12V power supply and comes with a ballistic nylon case with a clear plastic top over the control panel.

Commenting on the introduction, Azden VP of Sales Wayne Alonso said, “This is by far our most professional field mixer, and everyone’s who seen it has been blown away by the value for the dollar.”
MSRP for the FMX-42 is $750. For more information about Azden Wireless products, please call 516.328.7500 or visit http://www.azdencorp.com/.

From a Boris FX Press Release

Boris Continuum Complete 5.0 for FxPlug Ships
BCC product family adds FxPlug to the list; native support for Apple’s
proprietary FxPlug architecture

Marlborough MA - Boris FX, the leading developer of integrated effects
technology for video and film, announced that Boris Continuum Complete
5.0 for FxPlug (BCC 5.0 for FxPlug) is now shipping. Developed
specifically for Apple’s new FxPlug plug-in architecture, BCC 5.0 for
FxPlug is a brand new member of the Boris Continuum Complete product
family. BCC 5.0 for FxPlug takes full advantage of the FxPlug plug-in
architecture to greatly extend the compositing and effects
capabilities for Apple Final Cut Studio. New BCC 5.0 for FxPlug
workflow benefits include support for deep color processing, new
contextual controls for organizing user workspace, and full support
for Motion 3.0.

“Porting our award-winning Boris Continuum Complete application to
FxPlug greatly improves our native integration with Apple video
applications. BCC 5.0 for FxPlug leverages the Apple API and platform
to take full advantage of big performance boosters such as multi-core
processing and Open GL for an exceptional interactive effects design
environment. No other plug-in set comes close to providing both the
performance and image processing power for Apple Final Cut Studio than
BCC 5.0 for FxPlug,” said Boris Yamnitsky, president and founder,
Boris FX.

The Apple FXPlug interface allows Boris Continuum filters to process
images in 16 bit per channel; reducing the color shift associated with
YUV to RGB conversions. The newly developed up-scale technology is
found in both the SD to HD converter tool - BCC UpRez, and in the
comprehensive Ken Burns effect generator - BCC Pan and Zoom. New BCC
contextual controls are implemented throughout the package; reducing
screen clutter and accelerating effect production. Because FXPlug is
common for both Final Cut and Motion the new BCC 5 filter set is
equally and easily accessible in both applications.

New BCC 5.0 filter highlights;

BCC UpRez is used for high-quality SD to HD conversions; BCC UpRez is
designed to facilitate the resizing of image clips while minimizing
the data loss that is usually associated with resizing media in a
host. The BCC UpRez filter includes several high-end image processing
algorithms to enhance the apparent sharpness and / or smoothness of
the final result.

BCC Pan and Zoom known as the “Ken Burns” effect; BCC Pan and Zoom
provides users extensive controls for precise image scaling and
re-sampling. Overall better workflow and image quality is achieved
with special filter features such as the “watch folder” and new
“UpRez” filter.

BCC MatchMove based on the award-winning motion tracking technology in
Boris Red, the new BCC MatchMove filter allows users to combine motion
tracking with transformation/compositing of a layer. With the BCC
MatchMove filter, users can lock the movement of one image clip to
another image clip using the built-in motion tracking function. BCC
MatchMove provides controls for DVE functions such as tumble, spin and
rotate, as well as realistic lighting controls.

BCC Led makes an image, clip or text element with alpha appear as
though it was constructed out of an array of blinking or solid LED
lights - similar to the display boards in sports stadiums. This filter
is part of the new OGL category of filters in BCC that benefit from
hardware acceleration to reduce render time.

BCC Prism can be used to simulate the photographic effect of chromatic
aberration in which a bad lens can generate prismatic color fringing
along edges of high contrast within the image. This filter is also
part of the new OGL category of filters in BCC, which benefit from
hardware acceleration to reduce render time.

BCC Scan Lines is another filter from the new BCC OGL category. This
filter generates rolling RGB scanlines over the source image clip,
emulating the effect of a computer monitor which was shot on video
tape or film. The filter also includes a user controlled noise
generator function for added realism.

BCC Damaged TV a filter in the Open GL category; BCC Damaged TV is
designed emulate the appearance of a CRT style television set that is
receiving a bad antenna signal or is in need of repair, complete with
gun offset, distorted edges, image roll, noise, scan lines, and
interference lines, this powerful filter features both automatic and
manual modes.

BCC Turbulence generates auto-animated gel-like distortion fields in
an image clip based on input from the built-in noise map and
turbulence controls. This filter includes dozens of preset effect
settings for accelerated effect production.

BCC Noise Map 2 generates procedurally based, resolution independent,
auto-animated image clips that are used for backdrops or as a mask
track input for other image clips. Dozens of presets are included with
this filter for producing complex animations quickly and easily. 

BCC
Color Choker posterizes and blurs colors in an image clip. Colors in
the clip to which the filter was applied can be attenuated or remapped
individually or as an RGB group. Controls allow users to convert
images to monochrome before applying a blur or choke for additional
creative results.

“Boris Continuum Complete has always been the most versatile and
feature-inclusive of all the plug-in packages,” comments Ned Soltz of
2-pop.com, DV Magazine, Videography Magazine, and Television Broadcast
Magazine. “The release of BCC 5.0 for FxPlug brings not only new
filters such as Pan Zoom, it also provides users of FCP 5.1.4 and
greater as well as Motion the benefits of the new FxPlug format.
FxPlug takes full advantage of GPU acceleration for much faster
rendering.”

Pricing and Availability
BCC 5.0 for FxPlug is designed to support Apple Final Cut Studio
applications that offer the FxPlug plug-in architecture. BCC 5.0 for
FxPlug is available today through Boris FX worldwide reseller channel
and direct through Boris FX web site at www.borisfx.com for an MSRP of
$895.00 (new) and $295.00 (upgrade). Special cost effective cross
grade options are available for BCC AVX and BCC AE products.

Light Bulb Shot-HIGH SPEED VIDEO from aasdfasdfasdfasdf and Vimeo

It’s true that the Phantom v7.3 camera is aimed at industrial and broadcast uses, but seeing this web video from it is no doubt inspirational. The v7.3 high speed digital camera takes over 6,000 frames a second, at a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels. Like early video cameras, the v7.3 has to be teathered to an external machine which records the images. Decades ago that machine was a VCR, today it’s a desktop computer with blazing fast memory.

We have to wonder though.
Would 6,000 fps be fast enough to catch Bruce Lee in action?

Via Indy Mogul [Link]

reprinted from an Artbeats press release:

Myrtle Creek, Ore. –— July 9, 2007 –— Experience the true spirit of the Wild West with Artbeats’ latest addition to their extensive library of royalty-free stock footage, entitled Rodeo. Artbeats’ newest lifestyle collection features thrilling footage from feisty bucking broncos to rowdy rodeo crowds, cheering on their favorite cowboy. These brand new titles offer the same pristine, high-quality footage that has made Artbeats a favorite among industry professionals. Artbeats’ award-winning library of 487 titles, 197 of which are HD, feature superior technical and visual quality footage that can be used for broadcast, feature films, commercial, multimedia design, game development, independent production and more.

Pricing and Availability

Artbeats’ Rodeo collection contains 36 royalty-free clips and is available now at http://www.artbeats.com/prod/product.php?pg=1&id=619. Artbeats’ footage is available in HD-1920×1080, D1 NTSC-720 x 486 or D1 PAL-720 x 576 resolutions. Pricing for Artbeats’ HD collections range from USD $799-$899; standard definition collections range from USD $399-$699. To learn more about these new and fun collections or view clips please visit http://www.artbeats.com/prod/new_releases.php.